A/N: Hoorah! I got a new chapter up! And only a day later than I planned! Yay! Anyway, to my wonderful reviewers: angelsfyre1---You were my first reviewer for chapter five! And what a great review :-). I appreciate your support! ((hugs)) I hope this next chapter meets up with your expectations! Fiona McKinnon---I'm happy you liked it :-), enjoy the new chapter! animebishieluver---Hehehe, I like making people laugh :-). Thank you for the support! Shero---Indeed, Legolas has DEFINITELY taking a liking to Donna, though it's taking him a while to figure out why. His protectiveness will prove to be helpful in this chapter. Enjoy! Sirius-strider---Glad it made you laugh :-). I like a fic to be well-rounded. Enjoy the new chapter! Nasuada Moon---Thank you! You couldn't have said it better :-). And hey, you reviewed! I'll give you all the cookies you want! ((gives her the key to the Mr. Christie bakery)) That should last ya! lol. Elvnchic9---Thank you :-). I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with myself when that came to mind. Unfortunately I can't take full credit for the quote. You can thank Piccolo from Dragonball Z for that one. Fit the situation pretty good though! Enjoy the new chapter! "the orange munch-munch!"---Wow, my first flammer, I feel so special XD. Lady Keshanna of the Night---No big deal, that's why I allow anonymous reviews. Thank you very much! Enjoy the new chapter!immortalwizardpirateelf-fan---Yow! Your name's a mouthful XD. Cool! Yes, this is a Legolas+OC fic. It was Aragorn's plan all along to get Legolas flusterd, knowing that seeing him embarrassed and angry was a hilarious sight to behold. He decided to take a fall for his friend in order to get him back on Donna's good side. That Aragorn is one tricksy devil! He isn't the Chief of the Duunadain for nothing after all ;-). Elven Stranger---You lucked out! I got your review just when I was getting ready to post this! Thank you very much! A little hyper are we? lol. Enjoy!

Sheesh, everything about this chapter's long! Even the authors note! Sorry if this chapter's a bit wordy, I think I cut it down as much as I could. If you read about the council in the book, then you know why this chapter is as long as it is. I would have used the council scene from the movie, but I didn't feel like trying to get the dialogue from the movie right, getting the stuff from the book was easier in the long run. Sorry if there are some spelling errors or words bunched together, I had to post this in a rush. I'll read it over tomorrow evening and fix whatever I find.

Disclaimer: I do not own Legolas or any other character you recognize, they are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and his associates. The dialogue marked with brakets: ( ) is taken from Chapter 14 of The Fellowship of the Ring. I do not claim to be the original author of that dialogue.

Chapter 6: The Council, and the Mark of Infinity

Donna sat next to Boromir, waiting for the council to start. She wore a flowing, wine red dress of varying shades with gold trim and embroidery. Her hair was down, as usual. No one could talk her into putting it up. She was steadily growing more tense with every passing moment. People kept looking at her, and she hated being the centre of attention. Also, she felt a strange uneasiness. It seemed to emanate from Frodo. It was odd, the previous night she felt perfectly normal in his presence, now she found herself wanting to get away from him. She couldn't understand it at all.

They were eventually joined by two short, thickset, hairy men with very long, thick beards. One of them looked rather old, and had grey hair, and he had to keep his beard tucked in his belt to keep it from brushing the floor. The other looked younger and his hair was red. His beard was shorter, hanging down to his groin. He gave her a dirty look when he passed. Her unpredictable temper flared and she gave him a dirty look of her own, adding a charming little gesture for good measure. Take a picture, it lasts longer!

Boromir noticed the exchange and whispered, "They are Dwarfs, pay them no mind. Their beliefs on where women belong are rather ridged, and the fact that you look like an elf does not help."

"Ah. I see. Well, where I come from, if a male gives a lady a dirty look, she gives him one right back, and if she's in a mighty bad mood, she kicks his sorry ass!" she snarled quietly. Boromir was taken aback by her brusqueness, but said nothing. It was quite obvious to him that she was stressed. He looked about, and caught the aloof fellow who had whisked Donna away so swiftly the night before was glaring at him again. He had begrudgingly apologized for his rude behavior the night before, most likely because of the girl's influence, but he seemed to be constantly watching them, and every once in a while when he spoke to Donna, the Elf would cast a frosty glare in his direction.

"Are you aware that your friend is watching you very closely?" whispered Boromir. Legolas glared daggers at him, and he shuddered, looking about for a place to escape the Elf's angry gaze.

"That I am. Don't bother whispering. He's got hearing like a bat." Boromir did a double-take and stared at her in dismay. "Don't worry about it. He's just jealous. I suppose he thinks I like you better than him." She glanced over at him and he was obviously sulking, though he tried to make it look as if he were just bored. He glanced at her and then looked away quickly when he saw that she was watching him. My god, how old are you? Ten? She cast him and look and said, "Stop eaves-dropping." He promptly sat upright and got into a conversation with Saelbeth and Galdor.

"Forgive my bluntness, my lady, but I believe that he thinks me a threat in his endeavors to win your heart," said Boromir pensively.

"Well DUH. Why he's so adamant about winning me over, I haven't the faintest idea. It's not as if I'm a fine specimen. I wish he'd…oop, I think the council's about to start. FINALLY. We'll have to continue this conversation later. Preferably when I'm in a better mood."

Lord Elrond stood and greeted everyone, introducing those that were not familiar with one another. Donna soon found that the red-haired Dwarf was named Gimli. The two glared at each other as they were introduced, and at that moment, they marked each other as sworn enemies. It would lead to some interesting situations in the days and weeks to come.

For some time, they spoke of what went on in "the world outside" as Lord Elrond put it. Then, for a long while the Dwarves spoke of a vile messenger who came to their land from a place called Mordor, seeking to find a ring that was stolen from his Lord Sauron. Donna had no idea what they spoke of, but she hadn't the heart to ask, and she suspected that she was probably happier NOT knowing. Besides which, the feeling of unease was steadily growing, it was as if she were sitting in an oven, and the heat was slowly rising. It took all of her concentration to keep from bolting. Now I wish I'd sat beside Legolas…his scent is so comforting…ACK! BAD THOUGHTS! STUPID DONNA! The Dwarf named Gloin finished his tale.

("…And so I have been sent at last by Dain to warn Bilbo that his is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desired this ring, this least of rings. Also we crave the advice of Elrond. For the Shadow grows and draws nearer. We discover that messengers have come also to King Brand in Dale, and that he is afraid. We fear that he may yield. Already war is gathering on his eastern borders. If we make no answer, the Enemy may move Men of his rule to assail Kind Brand, and Dain also.")

("You have done well to come," said Elrond. "You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy. There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? That is the doom that we must deem.

"That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find council for the peril of the world.")

Donna sat, completely shocked by what she heard. She tried to reason her way out of it, thinking that perhaps he meant the others, and not her. Elrond looked to her, seeing her look of doubt, and said, "Yes, even you, lady Donna. You who come from a time and world different from our own. You who seek only to know how you came to be here. Somehow your fate is tied to the ring as well, though I know not how. Why else would you come at this time of peril?" Boromir stared at her, and she opened her mouth several times, attempting to come up with a less frightening explanation. However no noise came from her opened mouth.

After several fruitless attempts at finding her voice, she sighed and shook her head, sitting back into her chair and bidding Elrond to continue. For several moments all eyes were on her, gazing at her in wonder, but then Elrond cleared his throat, and again he had their undivided attention.

The Elf Lord went on to tell them of the forging of the Great Rings, of Sauron, and of the fall of the Seven and the Nine. He told them of Isildur, and how he cut the Ring from Sauron's hand. He told them of the day the strength of Men failed. By the time he was finished, Donna no longer sat in blissful ignorance. She was very well educated as to why everyone was so upset over the little gold band that Bilbo found in the mountains, the little gold band that nearly cost Frodo his life when he was stabbed by the Morgul-knife.

As Lord Elrond finished his tale, Boromir stood, and said, ("Give me leave, Master Elrond, first to say more of Gondor, for verily from the land of Gondor I am come. And it would be well for all to know what passes there. For few, I deem, know of our deeds, and therefore guess little of the peril, if we should fail at last.")

He went on to speak of how the people of Gondor kept the wild folk of the East restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay. He told them that the Enemy was regaining power, that Gondor was slowly pushed back, and that their allies were forsaking them one by one. It was not a pleasant tale, and Donna could see the worry in her new friend's eyes.

("In this evil hour I have come on an errand over many dangerous leagues to Elrond: a hundred and ten days I have journeyed all alone. But I do not seek allies in war. The might of Elrond is in wisdom, not in weapons, it is said. I come to ask for counsel and the unraveling of hard words. For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again, and once to me.

("In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:

'"Seek for the Sword that was broken:

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be councils taken

Stronger than Morgul-spells.

There shall be shown a token

That Doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's Bane shall waken,

And the Halfling forth shall stand."'

("Of these words, we could understand little, and we spoke to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the lore of Gondor. This only would he say, that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Halfelven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to give me leave, and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay.")

("And here at the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you,") said Aragorn. He stood up, and put his sword on the table that stood in front of Elrond. The sword was broken in two. ("Here is the Sword that was Broken!" he said.) It was explained to Boromir, and thus to Donna, and to Frodo, that Aragorn was the descendant of Isildur. That would explain why he wanders…I'd keep a low profile too if a bloodline like that hung over my head…thought Donna, seeing the quiet Aragorn in a new light.

("Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all!" cried Frodo in amazement, springing to his feet, as if he expected the Ring to be demanded at once.)

("It does not belong to either of us," said Aragorn. "But it has been ordained that you should hold it a while.")

("Bring out the Ring, Frodo!") said the old, grey-robed man Donna understood to go by the name of Gandalf. ("The time has come. Hold it up, and then Boromir will understand the remainder of his riddle.")

They all watched as Frodo stepped forward. He seemed reluctant, and rather afraid. Donna could whole-heartedly relate to the poor fellow. Slowly, he reached into his pocket, and held up a small gold band, his hand trembling. Immediately, the feeling of unease Donna had been feeling grew much stronger. This was where her unease was comming from. But she was somehow relieved to find that it was not the Hobbit himself that made her nervous.

Boromir seemed at first to doubt that Aragorn was Isildur's heir, but he was quickly convinced, and he asked Aragorn to join him in Minas Tirith. Aragorn spoke of his life as a Ranger, what he had learned, and what he knew was to come.

("…But now the world is changing once again. A new hour comes. Isildur's bane is found. Battle is at hand. The Sword shall be reforged. I will come to Minas Tirith.") Donna gazed at him in wonder. He had lived an interesting life to say the least. She could see that he was very brave, and she understood why Arwen loved this man.

Once again, Boromir voiced his doubts. He needed proof that the ring that Frodo had shown was indeed the ring that had been cut from the Dark Lord's hand. He wanted to know how it passed down through so many years, to come to be in the possession of a Hobbit. Bilbo told of how he had taken it from the creature named Gollum, and then Frodo told of his dealings with the ring since Bilbo had given it to him. Frodo's story was interrupted several times with questions, and it was through these questions that Donna learned of the Nazguul. Oh wonderful, I've landed myself in a world full of Grim Reapers! thought the girl with dismay. She sunk down in her chair, fretting nervously with one of the long, belled sleeves of her dress. Noticing her distress, Boromir took her hand and whispered, "Fear not, my lady, you shall be kept safe. I will make sure of it." Donna smiled at him in thanks, but the smile was only skin deep. It was for his sake only, a way to appease him and keep him from being insulted. Inside, she knew that Boromir could do nothing to keep her safe. She could not allow herself to become close enough to him for that. She would have to learn to fend for herself, and hopefully she would be able to learn of how she could return to her own world.

Gandalf told of what he had learned from the creature Gollum. Aragorn had apparently tracked him down, bringing him to Gandalf for questioning, and then to Mirkwood, Legolas' home, where he would be imprisoned. He had learned that the Ring had given Gollum unnaturally long life.

("And if that is not proof enough,") said Gandalf. ("There is another test. Upon this very ring which you have here seen held aloft, round and unadorned, the letters that Isildur reported may still be read, if one has the strength of will to set the golden thing in the fire a while. That I have done, and this I have read: Ash nazg durbatuluuk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluuk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.") The Wizard's voice went through a great change, while most times his voice was strong and full of authority, now it was frightening and sinister. He spoke every word as if it burned his mouth. The Elves plugged their ears, and others trembled. Donna felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. The blood drained from her face, leaving her complexion pale and ashen. She felt her stomach turn, and she had to clasp a hand over her mouth to keep from being violently ill. Her head swam, and her now blood-shot eyes rolled back into her head. She did not remember falling.

Legolas was by her side in an instant. As he stopped his ears and fought the feeling of nausea, he saw that the girl did not know what to do. Her face went deathly pale, her eyes went blood-shot and rolled back into her head, and she swooned. He caught her just before she hit the hard stone floor. He held her small, cold form in his arms and looked up at Gandalf in disbelief, along with others, though several were at his side, worried for the woman's well-being. The Gondorian included, much to his displeasure. Elrond sat for a moment, his eyes closed, most likely fighting off the nausea that he and the other Elves had felt, then he glared at Gandalf, saying sternly, ("Never before has any voice dared to utter words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey.")

("And let us hope that none will ever speak it here again," answered Gandalf. "Nonetheless I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. For if that tongue is not soon to be heard in every corner of the West, then let all put doubt aside that this thing is indeed what the Wise have declared: the treasure of the Enemy, fraught with all his malice, and in it lies a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that the Smiths of Eregion heard, and knew that they had been betrayed: One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.")

The girl woke as Gandalf finished his speech.

"Nngh…what the frig happened?" she murmured. Legolas looked down at her and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank Eru for small mercies! You became ill from Gandalf speaking the Black Tongue. But you seem to be alright now," said Legolas, easing her into a sitting position as the colour returned to her face. Gandalf looked down at her, and said, "Forgive me, my dear, I did not know that you would react as you did. If I had known I would have given you fair warning. However, I find it odd that you would be so strongly affected by it." Donna shrugged.

"I've been skittish from the beginning of the council, I think that was just the last nail in the coffin. Don't worry about it, I'm…whoa…" she wobbled on unsteady feet as she slowly rose. "I'll be all right." Legolas brought her over to the seat beside him, shooing Saelbeth away to sit by Boromir. Donna would have protested, but she still felt somewhat nauseous, and being close to Legolas calmed her, though she would not admit it. After Donna was settled, Gandalf continued.

("Know also, my friends, that I learned more yet from Gollum. He was loth to speak and his tale was unclear, but it is beyond all doubt that he went of Mordor, and there all that he knew was forced from him. Thus the Enemy knows now that the One is found, that it was long in the Shire; and since his servants have pursued it almost to our door, he soon will know, already he may know, even as I speak, the we have it here.")

Everyone sat silent, obviously mulling over what the Wizard had said. Well, isn't that a cheery piece of info…thought the girl bleakly. She subconsciously leaned a bit closer to Legolas, taking deep breaths. Why does he smell so good? Probably an Elf thing.

Finally, Boromir spoke, asking what had become of Gollum after Gandalf had gotten all the information he could. Aragorn said that he was in Mirkwood being safely guarded, for he was still strongly affected by the Ring, and it made him cunning and malicious. That was when Legolas finally spoke.

("Alas! Alas!" he cried.) He looked distressed and ashamed as he went on to say, ("The tidings that I was sent to bring must now be told. They are not good, but only here have I learned how evil they may seem to this company, Sméagol, who is now called Gollum, has escaped.") He went on the explain how the cunning little beast had been allowed to climb up a large tree in fair weather, and of how one day he refused to come down, and the guards posted at the bottom of the tree to watch him were ambushed by orcs, and either taken away or killed.

Gandalf did not look at all pleased by the news, but he did not fuss over it. But then why would he? No point in shooting the messenger, thought Donna, glancing over at Legolas. He seemed to be deep in thought. Her heart went out to him of its own accord, he had lost some companions because of Gollum. She knew what that was like. However, she caught herself before she did anything rash, and looked away from the Elf before he went back to fretting over her.

Gandalf went on to tell them of the treachery of the White Wizard Saruman. From what she gathered, he was the "head honcho". The wisest and most powerful. All in all, it looked to her as if she had landed in a sand trap and was sinking fast. How she was going to get out, she had no idea. Lord Elrond was looking more deflated and tired with every passing moment, and she suspected there was more to it than the fact that they had sitting for over three hours. Then the trouble started. They sat for another two hours, trying to decide what to do with the Ring. Elrond would not take it for fear of the Ring taking hold of him, and Gandalf would not take it for the same reason. Boromir tried to talk them into using it as a weapon against Sauron, but that idea was shot down quickly. It seemed to Donna that Boromir was rather cynical, and untrusting of Lord Elrond. Every decision and statement he made, Boromir questioned. But then he did not know the Elves, and she could understand if he found them intimidating.

They argued for a good while, over who should take the Ring to Mordor. The Dwarves and the Elves seemed reluctant to let either race bare the Ring to Mordor. Donna was unsure whether it was because of distrust, or simply because one race did not want the other to have the glory. At one point even Bilbo volunteered to take the Ring, obviously craving the adventures he had been through in his younger days. However, Elrond quickly advised against it. It seemed to her a little too quickly, saying that he was getting rather old to be going on such a perilous quest. She had the feeling that there was more to it than that. She made a mental note to ask about it after she had eaten, and gotten some feeling back in her bottom. She decided that if she were stuck here, it was best that she learned all she could of the dangers that she might have to face. Finally, growing tired of the arguing, Frodo reluctantly stood.

("I will take the Ring," he said.) Donna watched him curiously. As he said those words, she could actually see the moment his heart broke. ("Though, I do not know the way.") Donna's heart filled with pity for the Hobbit. One so small should not have had to carry such a burden. All eyes turned to the Hobbit, and Elrond spoke.

("If I understand aright all that I have heard, I think that this task is appointed to you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck?

"But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Huurin, and Tuurin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them.") Sheesh, no pressure…thought the girl, giving the Hobbit a sympathetic look. He looked up at her, and she did her best to smile at him with encouragement, and apparently it worked, for his face brightened to some extent.

("But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" cried Sam.) He leapt out from behind some bushes, looking shockingly determined for one who was normally very timid.

("No indeed!" said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.") Sam sat down next to Frodo, and muttered, ("A nice pickle we have landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo!") Donna sighed, and looked on at the two Hobbits, completely amazed by them. I know the feeling…that I do…

Several hours later, after eating and taking a long walk to get the circulation back into her legs, Donna was taken to Lord Elrond's office, along with Legolas. When they entered, Elrond was sitting behind his desk, and Gandalf sat in a chair in front of it, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. There were two more chairs set out for Legolas and herself. She must have looked nervous, for Elrond said with a smile, "No need to look so bleak lady Donna. One would think that you were being sent to the gallows!" She blushed and said, "I'm sorry Lord Elrond. I took in a lot of negative information at the council. I guess I'm flagging a bit."

"I thought you might be." He pushed a tray with two goblets on it towards her and Legolas. They both took them gratefully, finding that they drank warm, spiced wine. Donna sighed contentedly and sat back in her chair.

"Thank you so much. I think you're my new best friend, Lord Elrond," she said, smiling gratefully. Legolas gaped at her, but not wanting to make a scene, said nothing. Elrond chuckled and replied, "A warm drink is always good in the evening. Now that things have calmed down some, I thought that it would be a good time to discuss your situation. I thought it best for Prince Legolas to attend simply because he was the one who found you, and I imagine he shares your curiosity as to how you could have gotten here."

"Yes, I do," said Legolas intently.

"Well, I believe I may be able to answer your questions my dear, if my suspicions are correct," said Gandalf, catching her attention. She looked at him worriedly for a moment, and said nervously, "You're not going to speak that language again are you? I barely kept my breakfast down last time." Gandalf chuckled and replied, "No no, of course not. Now, Lord Elrond has repeated to me what you told him. You say that this tree you ran to, it had golden leaves, even though it was hollow?"

"Yes, although the leaves were sort of greenish gold…I never thought of how strange it was till I came here. I'd never seen a tree like that before, and I couldn't find any more like it in the woods that it lived in either," she explained thoughtfully.

"And it seemed that you could never find it when you tried to show it to your family, correct?" he asked.

"Yes. Once I thought I saw it, but then when I called…someone to come see, when I looked back, it was gone."

"Curious indeed," said the Wizard, tapping the mouth-piece of his pipe against his chin as he thought. "Forgive me if you think this strange, but could you look closely at me for a moment?" he asked. Donna complied, allowing the Wizard to bring his face rather close to hers, close enough that his bushy eye-brows were tickling her forehead. "Those are very interesting eyes you have, my dear." All the better to see you with, my dear…Donna chuckled. The three others in the room looked at her curiously.

"Ah, sorry, that reminded me of a bed-time story people tell where I come from. Don't mind me."

"No matter. Now, I fear I must ask a rather bold question…" said the Wizard, reaching for a book that lay open, face down on the table. He turned it right side up and showed her an image in the book. She gasped in surprise. "By any chance, do you have a birth-mark like this on your body anywhere?" he asked. The image was a symbol. The Mark of Infinity. Donna looked up at him in confusion.

"Y…yes…just above my tail-bone…" she said quietly. How could he have known? No one knew, except for Rita, her adopted mother, and she had taken that secret to the grave. Gandalf nodded knowingly.

"Just as I thought," said Gandalf, looking towards Elrond. "Shall you tell her? Or shall I?" Elrond looked from Gandalf to Donna several times, seeming to be as shocked as Donna herself.

"But how could it be? That trait died out centuries ago…she couldn't possibly be one of them…"

A/N: Dun-dun-dun! How's that for a cliffy? I felt I needed some excitement after that long-winded chapter. That's my way to keep you all hooked! MWAHAHAHAHA! Don't forget to read and review!