Chapter 2
The Council of Elrond

Dinner that evening was a very joyous occasion. Frodo had indeed awakened, and Lord Elrond thought it appropriate to hold a great celebration in honor of the Ring-bearer and his guests from afar. Present were the Dwarves, a group of men that had arrived throughout the day, the Elves from Mirkwood, the Hobbits, Aragorn, Gandalf, and the regulars of Rivendell. The table was full of happy, chattering guests, eager to share tidings from their kingdoms. Auranor had the pleasure of sitting next to Frodo, and found amusement in relieving him from hearing of the boring tales that the Dwarf on his opposite side had to tell.

Frodo was a very interesting Hobbit. He had curly, shaggy, dark brown hair, and the brightest blue eyes that Auranor had ever seen. He was very quiet at first, no doubt because he was still tired, but he soon warmed up to Auranor, and spoke to her as if they were old friends. He told her about The Shire and of the merry events that he had the pleasure of attending there. He seemed to stray from any mention of the ring or such topics. Auranor understood why, because she knew the frustration and pain he felt every time it was mentioned, for she felt similar pain at the mention of her parents. She knew he would undergo enough strife the next day at the Council of Elrond.

After dinner, Elrond invited Auranor to sing for his guests as he always did. When she was through, she again made her way out onto the balcony to gaze at the scenery. She closed her eyes and let the wind dance through her hair.

"You have a beautiful voice," she heard someone say behind her.

"Thank you Your Highness," she said as she turned to face him.

"Please, call me Legolas," he said. He walked to her side and gazed at the vista. "It is strange, but I feel like I have met you before, however I can't recall when or where."

"I feel the same," she admitted. "But every time I think so, I tell myself that it is impossible because you are the Prince."

"Your voice, I have heard it somewhere before," he said, puzzled.

"Perhaps you have heard my mother, Gailawen. She used to sing at court for your father. I remember him saying once that she had the most beautiful voice that he had ever heard."

"I remember her," Legolas said. "She has passed that voice to you." He paused, then suddenly spoke. "I have met you before. We were childhood playmates."

"I cannot recall," Auranor said, thinking hard.

"You were the little girl who always wanted to play with the boys. You preferred to fight with swords rather than play with dolls," Legolas commented.

"Yes, I was that way," Auranor giggled. "I always wanted to play tough. That is the little bit of my father in me."

"Do you remember the one little boy that dared you to go off into the woods all alone to prove that you weren't afraid of the dark.?" he asked her with a grin.

"Yes, I do remember that," she answered, puzzled that he knew of that incident. She studied his eyes for an answer, then it hit her..

"That was you?" she asked in amazement. "That was the Prince of Mirkwood who dared me to go into the woods? I remember now. I do remember the boy who dared me, but I had no idea that it was you, even at the time."

"I knew that we had crossed paths before," Legolas said.

"Indeed, we have," she agreed. She sighed, looking back over the view. It was her favorite thing to do every night.

"The night is calm," Auranor said. "Too calm."

"A sign of troubled times to come," he replied. Auranor looked over at Legolas with concern in her eyes, then down at her own hands resting on the rail of the balcony.

"Well, it is getting late. I have a feeling that tomorrow's council is going to be quite tedious," Auranor said. "I believe I will retire for the night."

"Yes, it is getting late, and tomorrow promises to be a long, tiring day," Legolas agreed.

"I shall see you in the morn. Navare Legolas," she said with a slight bow of her head.

"Losto mae hiril nin," he replied. As Auranor left the balcony, Legolas watched her with a small smile. He returned his gaze to the scenery, reflecting on the discovery of an old friend. 'I knew she was familiar," he thought. 'Her beautiful voice was the last clue. I knew…wait, did she say that the council would be time consuming? Is she going to be there? She has beautiful eyes. Wait, did I just say that? Well, it is true. I wonder if she will be present at the council. Well, I guess I shall see tomorrow.'

Auranor lay in her bed thinking about the day's events. 'Frodo is very nice. It is a pity that he had to bear that Ring. Elrond will figure out what to do with it tomorrow. Ugh, the council is going to be so long and boring. Well, Legolas will be there. Hey, wait, I can't sit and stare at him the entire time. Well, he is exceptionally good looking. Did I just say that? Well, it is true. I can't believe I knew him when I was younger. I'm ashamed that I didn't remember. I could just get lost in his eyes. Ah! No, that would never happen. He is a Prince, and I am just an elf maiden who prefers weapons and pants over mirrors and dresses. There is just no way.'

As Auranor took her seat beside Aragorn at the Council of Elrond, she noticed the great amount of people that had been invited to attend. In all, there were twenty one present, and twenty one chairs sat in a circle surrounding a stone pillar in the center. Auranor looked around. At the head of the council sat Lord Elrond with Elladan and Elrohir on either side. The three were set a little apart from the rest of the group. To Elrohir's left sat Frodo, and next to him was Gandalf. Next to Gandalf sat two of the blond-haired Elves that had arrived with Legolas. After them sat Legolas, and to his left was another blond haired elf. Two gray-haired Men were seated after the Elves. Then came a silver-haired Dwarf, Gloin, Gimli, and a brown-haired Dwarf. After them sat three men, the middle one Auranor recognized as Boromir of Gondor, whom she had met at dinner the previous night. Next came Nestellon, herself, and finally Aragorn.

"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old," Elrond spoke, "you've 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. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." The nervous Hobbit slowly approached the pedestal and placed the Ring at the center. All of the company gasped in disbelief at the sight.

"So it is true," Boromir whispered. All were silent as they took in the sight before them.

"It is a gift," Boromir spoke as he stood up. "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."

"You cannot wield it," Aragorn said. Boromir turned to face him. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir retaliated arrogantly.

Legolas stood up with purpose and said, "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir asked in disbelief while shooting Aragorn a doubtful glance.

"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas defended.

"Havo dad, Legolas," Aragorn said, trying to prevent any outbreak.

Boromir looked at Legolas menacingly, then at Aragorn. "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." He sat back down, disgusted with the idea of being in the presence of Gondor's true king. He shot an evil glair at Aragorn, and Aragorn looked at Auranor with sad eyes.

"Aragorn is right," Gandalf spoke out. "We cannot use it."

Elrond stood up, looking around at the gathered peoples. "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." Everyone shook their heads in angst, knowing that it would come to this.

Then Gimli spoke up determinedly. "Then what are we waiting for?" He stood up, grabbing his axe, and hurled it down upon the Ring. On contact, the ax shattered into pieces and the Dwarf was thrown to the ground. Auranor looked over at Frodo, noticing that he was holding his head, seeming to be in pain. Gandalf also noticed. An evil voice seemed to whisper in the wind.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess," Elrond said calmly. "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. One of you must do this." Elrond looked around at the company, who sat in complete silence.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir said with frustration. "Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. 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, again, stood up. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed."

Gimli looked up at the Elf viciously, "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it."

Boromir stood up, "And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Gimli stood up and looked at Legolas. With a voice full of rage, he spat out, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" At that, the entire council stood up in argument. The Elves argued with the Dwarves, the Men with the Men, The Elves with the Men, the Men with the Dwarves.

Gimli could be heard above all others, "Never trust an Elf!"

Gandalf sat in his seat, shaking his head. Elrond sat back down, thinking the same as Gandalf. Elladan and Elrohir still sat beside Elrond's chair. Nestellon and Aragorn sat where they were, both watching the argument. Gandalf suddenly stood up and joined the feud with his retaliations. All the while, Auranor sat in her seat watching Frodo. He stared continuously at the ring, pain and anguish growing on his face. It was as if the Ring had him in a trance.

He then stood up with determination across his face. "I will take it," he said, trying to be heard over the ruckus. "I will take it," he repeated a little louder, catching Gandalf's attention. The wizard turned to Frodo with pure sadness in his eyes. The company seemed to hear him this time and all quieted down. "I will take the Ring to Mordor." All looked at him in disbelief. Concern came across his face, "Though, I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked towards Frodo, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn stood up, "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." He approached the Hobbit and knelt before him. "You have my sword." Gandalf shot a knowing glance at Elrond, who grinned slightly at the event before his eyes.

Legolas approached Frodo. "And you have my bow."

Gimli, not willing to let an Elf be more helpful than he said, "And my axe." He then joined the group.

"You carry the fates of us all Little One," Boromir said, approaching Frodo. "If this is indeed the will of the Council, the Gondor will see it done."

Auranor stood up with pure will and determination written in her eyes. She walked to Frodo and looked him in the eyes. "Though I am but a woman, I feel a need to do what I can to help you. I make it my duty and privilege to walk by your side through all dangers Frodo. You have my sword as well." At that, Nestellon stood up rapidly to protest, but Elrond shook his head at him.

Then, from behind a group of bushes, was heard another voice, "Here!" Another Hobbit with shaggy blond hair ran from his hiding spot to Frodo's side. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me," He said as he crossed his arms, not willing to be turned away.

"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you," Elrond said with an amused look. "Even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

"Hey! We're coming too!" cried a voice from behind a pillar. Two more Hobbits ran from their hiding places, one with scruffy dirty blonde hair, the other with brown. They ran to Frodo's side.

"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," the blonde one said.

"Anyway," said the brown haired one. "You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission…quest…thing." The Hobbit stood tall and proud, feeling that he had made an important point. Everyone stood in disbelief at the boldness of the Hobbits.

The blonde one threw a look at the other and said sarcastically, "Well that ruled you out, Pip." The brown haired Hobbit smiled at the other in agreement, then, realizing what was said, threw a dirty look at his friend.

"Ten companions," said Elrond proudly. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.

The Hobbit called Pip agreed, "Right." He then looked from his friend to Lord Elrond and asked, "Where are we going." The company just shook their heads and laughed.

Upon the closing of the council, Nestellon took Auranor aside with an infuriated look.

"You are a woman. It is not proper for you to go out on a task like this. I simply will not allow it! It is far too dangerous," he scolded.

"Nestellon, you do not understand," Auranor tried to explain.

"No, I will not have it! My word is final!" He stormed off, but Auranor caught him by the arm.

"Nestellon, hear me out!" she said forcefully. "I do this for Frodo, yes, but that is not my only reason. The day that my parents died, I made an oath to myself. I swore that I would not allow myself to live peacefully until their deaths were avenged. I promised that to myself, and I promised that to them at their graves. I do not care what you say or do to prevent me from leaving, but I will go with this Fellowship, and do what I feel in my heart is right."

Nestellon looked at her understandingly, but with a little anger still present. "Auranor, I am only looking out for your safety. I see you as my family, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."

Auranor saw the concern in his eyes. "Dear Uncle, I am not a child, I can take care of myself. You have taught me well." She sighed as she shook her head. "Why do you think I was so eager to learn how to fight when I arrived in Rivendell? Because I knew that I would fulfill this oath someday, and I wanted to be ready when the time came. You are the best fighter I have ever met, and am honored to have you as my teacher. Besides, even if something were to happen, I will be surrounded by men, Aragorn namely. He looks after me as if I were his sister. He would never allow any harm to befall me." She gazed at Nestellon with hopeful, determined eyes.

Nestellon sighed with sorrow. "If it is that important to you, then I will not stand in your way. Mind you, however, that I still frown upon the whole idea."

Auranor happily threw her arms around Nestellon in a huge hug. "Thank you Uncle!" she whispered in his ear as she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Just be careful. Never let your guard down. Always keep an alert eye and ear," he said as he returned the embrace.

Response to Reviews

Chunkymonkey259 – I completely changed the summary, so you must have seen it before it was updated. Elrond is no longer in it
because I couldn't fit that much in the space given. Yeah, it is kinda a Mary-Sue but not really because modern day girl doesn't fall into Middle Earth. Auranor already lives there, but even thought she is an Elf, she is not perfect. That shall be seen later on in the story. She does know a lot about fighting, which, as I said to Saber Apricot, is indeed uncharacteristic of a female in general, let alone a female Elf, but there is a lot of my personality in the character, and I also wanted to make her a bit different from the typical Mary-Sue character. As for the sword, I'm not sure if that will play a part yet or not. I'm coming up with ideas as I write, and there is no solid plan for the story. When I wrote the part, I just thought it would be cool to have a sword that looked like that. But I love bladed weapons, so that is just me. Not all Middle Earth weaponry is entirely simple though. Sting, for instance, is really intricately crafted, especially with its ability to detect orcs. At least the way it is crafted for the movie is not simple, but weather or not that is the way Tolkien envisioned, only he knows. The day I wrote about the dress, I actually received the dress I am to use for the character I play at the local Renaissance Festival, so I was really excited about it, and it rubbed off into the story. My dress looks nothing like Auranor's, but I was in the Rennie costume mood. When it comes to the Gandalf issue, more about their past will be reveled later in the story. I like to write in a way that doesn't tell everything right at the beginning. The reader learns things like that as the story goes on, along with more details about Auranor's past with her parents. Be patient, more will come! As for her knowledge of the Ring, I thought people would assume that since she has lived with Elrond and his family, she would have at least heard of it and recent news concerning it. It IS Elrond, he who has been gifted with foresight. He regarded her almost as another daughter, so she knew of such secret things, as I'm sure Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen did as well. Thanks for your input. I will keep your suggestions in mind as I continue writing.

Seriously Wrong – O.K., first of all, I never suggested that my work was of Mona Lisa quality, the example was just that, an example. A little extreme it was, but I am definitely not comparable to daVinci. The man was a freaken genius that few can ever be comparable to. I admit, I wasn't in the greatest of moods when I answered your previous review, and I was very harsh. I'm not typically like that. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and take things to heart. I can become extremely defensive about my work, weather it be writing, drawing, karate, acting, etc. I understand that Mary-Sues are very overdone, but I don't really care. I'm gonna write what I want anyway because it is what I want to do. Everyone has their own fantasies about something, so I'm just joining the crowd in sharing mine. If some people like it, then great, but if not, oh well. As I said before, if it is not your cup of tea, then don't drink it. I'm not making you read the story. But if you choose to keep reading on, then do so. I plan on writing other LOTR stuff later after this is complete, and I don't plan on making it a Mary-Sue. I have more creativity than this story suggests. I actually thought it would be interesting to write a version from the eyes of Sam, almost like it were his part of the book that Frodo gives him to add to at the end of the story. But that will have to wait until this one is complete.

Saber Apricot – I think I will leave the blonde hair anyways. Personally, I like it, but I will give it some more thought. That characteristic is not part of me though. My hair has been more colors than I can count. It has been blonde, but I saw a picture of myself with it long, blonde, and completely undone, and I looked like a line with an extremely bad mane day, so I have vowed never to go blonde again. My hair is a strawberry red right now, and I think I will make it a honey brown for my senior pictures. About Rivendell as a "fantasy land" I will work on revising that part so it is clearer. Thanks for the encouragement though. I appreciate a lot. As I said to Seriously Wrong, I am a perfectionist, tend to take things to heart, and can become very defensive about my work. Once I get to that point, I begin to doubt what I have already done, and consider scrapping it. The encouragement definitely helps me want to continue. I still say you fit the true writer, especially after reading you profile. That confirmed it. Thanks! Keep reading.

Seyyada – Thanks so much! I'm glad that some people like it. It gives me incentive to keep writing. I'll try to cut out some of the detail, but it's gonna be hard. I like detail, but I'll try to keep the story moving. I will warn now though, I'm not gonna advance the love interest between Legolas and Auranor quickly. A pet peeve of mine is when two characters just met and are already in a closet making out, because it doesn't happen that way in real life. There may be some romantic development in Moria, and maybe major development in Lothlorien, but I'm not sure on that yet. Thanks for the input. Keep reading!

Jinxeh – Thanks for the input. I tried to keep as close as I could to Tolkien's writing style, but wasn't completely successful in that attempt. I did try extensively to do that with the dialogue. I am a character at the local Renaissance Festival, so I have some knowledge of Olde English, which helped a lot. I feel attracted to that type of dialogue, I think because it sounds intelligent. I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but I tried my best to keep with Tolkien's style of dialogue. It definitely wouldn't be a very convincing character if Auranor the Elf girl went around saying "Hey, Aragorn! Dude, your fly's open. You gotta fix that so them damn orcs don't chop off the prized family jewels. Youz gonna need an heir to the throne some day, and Arwen can't help you there unless you can hold up your end of the bargen, hahaha!" Your story sounds pretty interesting. I'm gonna have to read it. It sounds like a different take of the Sortof –Sue story. Thanks foe reviewing! Keep reading!

PrincessofRain – Thanks lots! I'm glad you like the story. I actually started learning Sindarian shortly after seeing The Two Towers, however, I didn't see it until shortly before Return of the King came out. I got involved in the LOTR craze towards the end. I wish I would have gotten involved sooner, but I'm a schmuck that didn't know it existed before the movies. Tsk on me. I know enough Elvish to understand stuff, but most of the phrases I used I checked up on I had a good idea of what they were, but needed to double check. There are still many, many things concerning Sindarian that completely confuse me. It is a very complicated, intricate language. I just gotta say that Tolkien was a fricken genius, definitely comparable to da Vinci, only for writing and linguistics rather than art. Thanks for the encouragement! I'm glad that there are people out there who like the story. Keep reading!