Disclaimer: I do not own you do not sue. I have no money. Well here we are again I am hoping that all my faithful readers are pleased thus far. Review me for Sanity's sake - DLN

The Council Meeting

Amanda

We were cloistered late into the night within Gandalf's quarters speaking of the Council that would take place the next day and how we should act. Then when all was settled we were sent away to sleep peacefully that night.

Gandalf

The council was called early the next morning directly after breakfast. We sat ironically enough in a ring around an a pillar I was flanked by my two adopted daughters. Amanda to my right an arm curled protectively around Frodo and Laurelin to my left gazing shyly at the Prince of Mirkwood. I had hoped my suspicions weren't true but the they were since I had narrowly prevented a kiss the day before. Elrond's voice pierece's my thoughts as he says,

"Bring forth the ring Frodo! Frodo shyly stands and places the ring on the pillar in the midst of us.

"So it is true," said Boromir the son of Gondor in awe. Boromir suddenly stands. "In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark but in the West a pale light lingered, a voice was crying : Your doom is near at hand." I watched Boromir warily. "Isildur's bane is found. Isildur's bane," he tapered off while reaching for the ring.

"Boromir," cried out Elrond making to stand. I didn't hesitate any longer I leapt to my feet and began to chant in the tongue of Sauron. Boromir snatched his hand back looking as if he had been struck. The dwarves looked at me in horror. The Elves looked ready to burst into tears. Frodo did not know what to think and both of my lady mages gaped at me in awe.

"Never before has anyone uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris," said Elrond in indignation.

"I do not ask your pardon Master Elrond," I answered him and continued, "For the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil."

"It is a gift," whispered Boromir insistently. 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!" Boromir continued his tirade walking around imploring people as he said this, " Let us use it against him."

"You cannot wield it! None of us can," cried Aragorn interjecting on Boromir's madness. "The Ring answers to Sauron alone it has no other master."

"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" asked Boromir sarcastically.

"This is no mere Ranger." said Legolas jumping to his feet in outrage. "He is Aragorn son of Arathorn and you owe him your allegiance." Everyone who did not know this information looked to Aragorn who did not deny it.

"Aragorn?" said Boromir in disbelief. "This is Isildur's heir." Aragorn looked at him boldly.

"And heir to the throne of Gondor," added Legolas. Aragorn looking old and tired told Legolas to sit down in Elvish.

"Gondor has no King," haughtily Boromir added insult to injury. "Gondor needs no King." as he sat down he stared hard at Aragorn.

"Aragorn is right we cannot use it," I said finally.

"You have only one choice," joined in Elrond standing up and continuing. "The ring must be destroyed."

"Then what are we waiting for," cried Gimli son of Gloin jumping to his feet axe in hand before anyone could say a word he brought the axe down swift and hard. Frodo groaned seemingly in pain as the axe connected. Gimli was thrown to his backside for his efforts.

"The ring cannot be destroyed Gimli son of Gloin by any craft we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, Only there can it be unmade, it must be taken deep into Mordor andcast back into the firey chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this," utter silence followed Elrond's words, Boromir was the first to break it,

"One does not simply walk into Mordor, It's Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is Evil there does not sleep and the great eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, ash, and dust, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume, not with ten thousand men could you do this! It is folly!"

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed," Yelled Legolas harshly glaring around the ring of people.

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it," cried Gimli. Boromir jumped to his feet saying,

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

"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an Elf," stated Gimli throwing himself to his feet. The Elves and Laurelin in tow all rose to their feet in outrage. "Never trust an Elf." he continued.

Amanda

It seemed that everyone was on their feet arguing in an instant wit the exception of Frodo, Elrond and myself. During the whole council Frodo had barely taken his eyes off of the ring which sat safely on the pillar. The council was taking it's toll on him, he was not fully healed yet, I had a mind to stop the meeting and have him put back to bed. My attention then diverted to Laurelin who was currently yelling at the dwarves in Elvish. I didn't know a great deal of Elvish but the low guttural stuff that Laurelin spat at them was anything but polite. The Gondorians were arguing with the Rivendell Elves and Aragorn. Gandalf could be heard bellowing above the terrible din for order and peace. That while they stood about and argued Saruman's power was growing, if they did not do something we would all be destroyed. Frodo was silent the whole time breathing heavily until he suddenly stood up and shouted,

'I will take it," no one but me heard him above the din I got to my feet and moved with him toward the crowd. "I will take it," he cried out louder this time. Everyone stopped and turned to look at him. "I will take the ring to Mordor," he reiterated for the third time.

"And he'll not go alone,' I said coming behind him and placing my hands on his shoulders. I received a glance and smile from him, Frodo continued,

"Though, I do not know the way."

"I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins," said Gaddy coming to stand beside us. "As long as it is yours to bear."

"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will," said Aragorn coming to kneel in front of Frodo. "You have my sword." Aragorn rose to stand by us.

"My magic is yours to command," said Laurelin joining our plight as I knew she would.

"And you have my bow," said Legolas doing the same.

"And my axe," added Gimli.

"You carry the fate of us all little one, if this is indeed the will of the council then Gondor will see it done," said Boromir prettily.

"Here," cried a sudden and new voice from the bushes. Sam ran up from behind us and planted himself firmly next to his Master. "Mr Frodo's not going anywhere without me."

"No indeed it is hardly possible to separate you two even when he is summoned to a private council and you are not," said Master Pointy Ears scowling.

"Wait we're coming too," cried out the voice of Merry. The two Hobbits ran into view padding up to us. "You have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."

"Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest, thing," said Pippin trying not to blunder.

"Well I guess that rules you out Pip," said Merry insulting his cousin.

"Eleven companions," said Elrond in awe. "So be it you shall be the Fellowship pf the Ring."

"Great where are we going?" asked Pippin stupidly afterwards I could only shake my head at him. Merry looked almost ready to strangle the young Took. Frodo calmly took him aside and explained everything to him.