It has been about six months since I have posted a chapter. I am so sorry to all who have read the previous chapters and awaited more only for it not to come! I have been really, really busy. I go to college full time and work a full time job. But now I'm out of summer school and requested to work part-time. Updates will be more frequent!
My original idea for where this story would be headed has been forgotten. That was probably for the best since I like the direction I'm going in now.
Enjoy!
Chapter 4: A Plan Revealed
Later that same night, Elrond called two of his most trusted advisors to his study: Erestor and Glorfindel. Glorfindel silently paced the room. He hated waiting. He rather be having drinks with the other Elves. Erestor, in his usual quiet and subdued mood, sat by the window contemplating tonight's events. "I should have thought my game more thoroughly. Legolas and Gimli's hatred for each other will not be whisked away by a meaningless power game."
Not that Erestor thought Legolas and Gimli would be become fast friends after that incident. His arm wrestling game was just appeared in his head when he was ceasing the fight on the archery field. He really had no time to think about the consequences. He wanted to at least watch over the two in an organized event to make sure they would not kill each other.
"But what to do about Boromir?" Erestor had seen the man throw the rock at Gimli's head but had not he chance to heed him.
"Do not let tonight worry you, my friend." Erestor was shook out of his thoughts at Glorfindel's voice.
He gave a slight smile, "If I don't worry about it, how will I be able to solve this problem?"
Glorfindel was about to rebuke the advisor when Elrond and Arwen came into the study. Elrond clamped his hand onto the blond warrior's shoulder, "I think both you and Erestor will have much to worry about after I tell you Arwen's plan."
The lord of Imladris fell into his seat behind his desk while Arwen situated herself behind her father and smiled at both the advisors.
A sudden fear sank into Erestor's stomach. He shifted his eyes towards Glorfindel and saw the same fear. Slowly, they sat themselves in the seats facing Elrond, feeling much like prey. Nothing good could come out of this and they both knew it.
Elrond folded his hands onto his desk, "As both of you know, that the halfings, Frodo and Samwise, will traveling into dangerous lands vary soon. I have already speculated over other possible candidates to be a part of the Fellowship. These candidates need, above all, Frodo's trust. They need to protect, teach, and guide the halflings on this journey."
Wild thoughts entered Erestor's mind. He ran his hand through his dark hair, a habit of his when he became nervous. Did Elrond want Glorfindel and him to join the Fellowship?
"I have thought long and hard. I wish the Fellowship to represent all peoples of Middle-earth, that is why I wish that Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir join the Fellowship. Arwen and I spoke with each of them and they wish to part of this company. However, the company will dissolve if they keep treating each other as they do. I am asking both of you to help them get along."
Silence fell between the Elves.
Erestor looked at Glorfindel. Glorfindel looked at Erestor. Both turned to stare at Elrond. Both Elves freed their tongues simultaneously.
"Lord Elrond, have you gone mad?" yelled Erestor.
"This is suicide!" bellowed Glorfindel.
Glorfindel slammed his hands on the desk, "They care not for the consequences of their actions. They will sooner send each other to the Halls of Mandos, and us with them if we interfere, before they could agree to anything!"
Arwen's voice was heard for the first time since entering the room, "Have you forgotten your quarrels with Master Erestor? I heard you were always at each others necks. Others have told me that they thought that Imladris would become war grounds with each confrontation. But your differences were embraced and your friendship formed."
Erestor practically beamed at being called "Master Erestor" from Arwen. Beaming did not occur often where Erestor is concerned. Beside him, Glorfindel's smile came from a memory. A memory formed in another age.
The kitchen was a mess. A complete mess. Erestor was threatening Glorfindel with a strawberry pastry held high above his head. Glorfindel was armed with a loaf of bread and a stick of butter. They were covered head to toe in creams, honey, and crumbs. Each Elf was breathing hard, not moving, but bent on destroying the other with delicious snacks. Elrond appeared in the kitchen aghast.
"What in the Valar have you done?" cried Elrond.
Erestor and Glorfindel brought dropped their weapons and faced their shocked lord. Erestor could not even find the words to explain which left Glorfindel with an uneasy task, "Erestor and I were having another debate that got a little out of hand."
Elrond raised an eyebrow, "A little out of hand?"
"You see . . . I . . . I mean, Erestor started to . . ." but Glorfindel was interrupted by the sound of laughter. It came form the most unlikeliest source, Erestor!
Glorfindel could not comprehend what he was seeing. Erestor, the frigid advisor, the somber Elf, the quiet bookkeeper, was bent over laughing!
Tears formed in Erestor's eyes from laughing so hard, "What . . . a . . . bunch of . . . fools . . .we look like." He said between breaths.
Glorfindel chuckled at first, but then burst out into laughter as well when the honey started dripping off the tip of Erestor's nose.
Elrond, completely baffled at this left them with a final word, "May this show your folly at petty squabbles."
Glorfindel came over to Erestor and brought out his hand, "Truce?"
Erestor smiled, wiping a smudge of pie crust off his hand and taking Glorfindel's, "Truce."
A friendship began . . .
The two advisors left Elrond's study and stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the gardens. Erestor looked at the stars for guidance. This was no easy task he had to overcome but after Arwen's words, he had a little hope. But not much.
Glorfindel turned around to lean on the balcony rails, "What do you think, my friend?"
"I think we may in a lot of trouble."
Glorfindel snorted, "What can a former Balrog slayer and a librarian do to bring three different races together?"
Erestor's eyebrows shot sky high, "I am not a librarian! Yes, I keep all the books and documents in check, but you know I do translations, make negotiations, and keep trade open with other realms! It's a lot more important than your work, swinging your sword all day long."
"My swinging my sword all day long has kept enemies out so you can do all your librarian stuff." Glorfindel laughed.
Erestor sighed, he really was not in the mood for playful banter. Glorfindel saw this and returned the subject back on course, "What do you think we have to do?"
"That does not involve any physical harm towards man, elf, or dwarf?" inquired Erestor.
Glorfindel nodded, "That would be most beneficial."
Erestor leaned on the railing with his elbows and covered his face in his hands, "I do not know. I rather lead the halflings to Mordor than to face this task."
"I know what you mean. Fighting another Balrog almost sounds appealing."
Both friends chuckled and went back inside to formulate a plan, wishing to the stars that three races could unite as one.
………………………………………………………
Legolas was lying on his bed, rubbing his wrist. He would admit out loud that his arm wrestling match with Gimli had left him sore, both I wrist and in mind. The Dwarf irritated him, that was plain to see. He just wanted to know why the Dwarf had started something earlier that day. Legolas and Gimli had been careful to avoid each other since the council. He did not wish to fight with Gimli but he left Legolas with no choice. Gimli had started something and Legolas wanted to finish it.
Now that the Mirkwood Elf thought about it more, he felt that something was wrong about the whole incident. After all this time of avoiding each other, Gimli would not just pick a fight? Was there another purpose behind this? Suddenly, an image of Boromir popped in his head.
"The man would not be so thick-headed as to spur the dwarf on, would he?" Legolas thought it could be a possibility. After all, he was messing with man for a couple days straight.
Little did Legolas know, that he hit the mark perfectly.
Boromir was cleaning his socks in a washing bin, feeling very highly of himself. Legolas was occupied with Gimli now. The Elf would not have a chance to bother him now. Dwarves were stubborn and held their name with honor. Gimli had been defeated in the arm wrestling match and would try his best to retrieve his honor from Legolas by defeating him.
Defeat. That was a really abstract term. Boromir hoped that it not mean death. He shrugged. He was sure it did not. He should stop worrying about it. Both Legolas and Gimli were out of his hands.
He stopped scrubbing his socks for a moment, "Maybe I went to far. Maybe I should not have thrown that rock at Gimli."
The man thought about it and continued scrubbing. What happened, happened, He could not change it so he would just enjoy the rest of his time in Rivendell.
Except that his enjoyment was cut short when he heard a soft knock at his door. Quickly, Boromir swept the washing bin underneath his bed (No one else needed to know about his foot fetish) and answered the door.
Breath left him as he saw Arwen standing there, a slightest hint of a smile pulling on her lips. Boromir had not yet spoke to the Evenstar in all the time he spent in Rivendell and, as of the moment, he might not be able to at all. His voice did not seem to work.
Arwen smile grew brighter, "I have a message for you, son of Denethor. Master Erestor wishes you to meet him in the library at noon tomorrow."
Boromir was confused. Erestor? The one from the council, he hastily remembered. He did not want the Ring to go to Mordor. In fact, he said the quest was 'folly'.
"Why?" was all Boromir could say.
"He wishes you to participate in a seminar with two other folk." said Arwen.
Boromir was even more confused, "What other folk?"
Before Arwen could answer, the bellowing rage of a dwarf and a fair cry of an elf could be heard throughout all of Rivendell when the message had been delivered to the other folk.