"…So am I still waiting,

For this world to stop hating?

Can't find a good reason,

For this world to believe…"

Sum 41 Still Waiting

Chapter Two: Misguided

Yuna had spent the night walking along one of the various paths that weaved its way through Rivendell, trying to piece her scattered thoughts into something useful. Architecture that was all too common in this city lined every wall and christened every inch of free space that was available. Waterfalls plunged down hundreds of feet to the winding streams below that were like veins on the emerald landscape. The houses, if you could even describe them in that way, were filled with a tranquillity that was rarely found anywhere else but in the great Elven stronghold. Even though Yuna would have never admitted it, she loved this place. It felt like a home that she found nowhere else, not even in Entwood. Entering a creatively adorned balcony she found large, intricately carved yet moss-covered bench. She made her way to it, sitting down slowly as not to disturb the weathered item.

Closing her eyes, she attempted to bring herself into a state of blissful unawareness to the struggles that where going on in Middle-Earth and instead focus on the serenity that encompassed her. This however was all too soon broken by the incised ringing of a bell that summoned those invited to Elrond's auspicious council. Yuna wearily stood up, taking a last look toward one of many ivy covered statues before proceeding in the direction of the meeting place.

Yuna reached the courtyard where the various members of the free races of Middle-Earth were already discussing minor skirmishes with the Dark Lord that had taken place over the last couple of weeks. She quietly took her seat, not wishing to disturb the other members of the council by coming in late. Solemnly she surveyed the other guests.

To her right sat whom she assumed was the elusive Gandalf the Grey, she had heard of his exploits on occasion but had never seen him in the flesh.

Next to him sat a young Hobbit, Yuna had admired Hobbits from the moment she'd seen one. Even tough there were constantly tremendous evils a step away from them, they always seemed content and not to have a care in the world. This one however, had an enormous burden weighing him down, his eyes where constantly set on the ground and his face portrayed a longing for something of which she could not tell.

The next in line was Elrond himself, a dark-haired Elf on either side of him. She supposed the two held some significance in the meeting but didn't care to inquire.

Then, then there was the ranger, for once he had changed his unsightly garments, not that it made much of a difference. He held this sort of unrelenting gruffness that, to her seemed to go along with both his actions and words.

Humans took up the following four places, a young dirty-blonde standing out from the more aged members. His eyes darted around the room uncertainly, glancing around and surveying those around him.

There was a horde of dwarves glaring about the small courtyard, grunting occasionally and looking suspiciously at the large number of elves around them.

Next there was a quartet of blondes, from Mirkwood, she assumed, her last visit to that particular area had been less than pleasant. Within moments Elrond had began the retelling of the great battle that was held long ago against Mordor and how it had come to pass. Yuna had heard this tale numerous times and was in no hurry to listen to it once again. She shut her ears to the sound, all she wanted was for Elrond to tell her what he wanted her to do so she could say no and leave. Of course doing that would have been far too easy and was not in the nature of the Lord of Rivendell. So she would just have to wait till all had been said and a vague plan was formulated, merely merging with the background and went unnoticed, a useful talent she had built up over the many years. She wasn't much aware of the various things being said by those present at the council, and once again closed her mind to everything but her own thoughts until Elrond got to the point.

"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." Were the words that snapped her out of her reverie. The young Hobbit obediently walked slowly to the pedestal in the centre of the courtyard and placed the ring upon it. There were sharp whispers among the startled crowd as Frodo took his seat.

The Gondorian rose from his place and spoke. "I had a dream…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…" He had made his way gradually over to the pedestal, and his hand hovered over the ring. "…Seek for the Sword that was broken: In Imladris it dwells; There shall be councils taken, Stronger than Morgul-spells…" He reached out to touch the ring. Gandalf leapt from his seat and his voice became menacing and powerful as he chanted the black tongue of Mordor. A shadow seemed pass over the sun, and the growl of thunder was audible overhead.

"Never before has any voice dared to utter the words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey." Said Elrond as the sky grew light once more and the shadow passed.

"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. For that tongue is soon to be heard in every corner of the west." After a while, the Gondorian spoke again.

"'Tis a gift." He said, standing once more. "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! Let us use the weapon of the enemy against them!" 'Oh, Valar' Things spiralled downwards from the moment the sugestion escaped his lips. Even Yuna knew of the great evils the Ring whispered to those who carried it. To attempt to wield it would be nothing short of suicide.

Out of the corner of her eye Yuna noticed the Elf who had just reclaimed his seat staring at her. So this was Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. She was not impressed. His gaze remained fixed on her but she pretend not to notice. This was somewhat hard however as every muscle in her body begged to slam a fist into that pretty Elven face of his. She returned to the council, the sudden realisation of what exactly was going on only hitting her when the ever-arrogant son of Gloín brought his axe down heavily on the smooth surface of the One Ring. She felt Legolas lean in and say: "Dwarves." In a demeaning whisper only Elvish ears could hear.

"Men." She replied in the same dull tone, trying and succeeding to shut him up and divert his attention elsewhere. After a moment or two, Legolas resumed his original position, a look of perplexed curiosity painted on his face.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Said a Dwarf rising with his axe in hand. After taking a few steps forward he brought it down hard above the small, golden object. His attempt however, proved nothing more then a waste of time. His axe was shattered and he himself was thrown back nearly half a metre by the shear force of the blow. The Ring remained unscathed.

"The Ring, Gimli son of Gloin," Elrond started, "Can not be destroyed by any craft we here posses. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasms of Mount Doom from whence it came. One of you…must do this." There was a morbid silence.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor." The ever-pessimistic Gondorian intruded once again upon the conversation. "It's black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great eye is ever watchful." He gestured to illustrate his point. "Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly."

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas broke in. "The Ring must be destroyed!"

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Gimli spat. "I would be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

This was not the wisest thing the unfortunate dwarf could have said, seeing as he was invariably outnumbered by the shocked elves, who at this point immediately rose to defend themselves against the verbal onslaught the armour-clad gnome was dealing out.

Yuna sighed from her place next to the anxious-looking hobbit, and cast her eyes upwards to see the blaring dispute between the free races of Middle-Earth. The Dwarves were bellowing their rather crude opinions, the men were simply standing and inserting unhelpful comments at moments when the argument seemed to be waning. The elves did nothing but stand their ground and try to look as unaffected and aloof as possible.

"I will take it!" A voice somewhere to her right tried to make itself known to the crowd. Yuna cringed as the young hobbit came forward once again and repeated his earlier statement, the majority of those present having turned to see the ring bearer. "But…I do not know the way…" There was a confused silence before Gandalf spoke to the apprehensive Frodo.

"I will help you with this burden, as long as it is yours to bear." He said slowly, looking down fondly to the Halfling.

Aragorn took a step forward, kneeling so he was at Frodo's height. "If in life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."

Legolas stood forward as well, stating: "And you have my bow."

Not wanting to be left out, Gimli grunted: "And my axe!" Glaring pointedly at a number to the prince's companions. Legolas gave an exasperated look, foreseeing the journey ahead with a dwarf by their side. It wasn't promising.

"If it is the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir said, staring watchfully at the golden object that lay in the centre of the pedestal.

It was then that the hobbit she'd been watching for some time sprang from his hiding place in the bushes around where the Lord of Rivendell had been sitting.

"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" He declared proudly.

"Yes, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you two even when he is invited to a secret council and you are not." Sam looked away bashfully. Two more hobbits joined the group standing in the centre of a courtyard with cries of "We're coming too!" As Elrond established the fellowship, Yuna decided to make an exit. Shaking her head slightly, she rose and walked slowly down the few steps to the path. She had barely taken a step down the worn road when she heard her name called after her. She placed her hands on her hips and turned round to face the newly-formed Fellowship slowly and deliberately. She shot Elrond a questioning look that conveyed a certain sense of frustrated boredom. "What have you to say in the matter?" He asked.

"You have my pity." She said, sighing deeply, the curious Fellowship looked on as she continued. "Well, well, well. What have we here? It seems that the last hope for Middle-Earth is to be placed into the hands of four little hobbits, cute as they are, I'm afraid I can't see them saving the world any time soon. Next we have a ranger who couldn't find his own destiny if it hit him over the head. An Elvish ponce…oh I'm sorry, I meant prince. A dwarf – enough said. And, after all that, a Gondorian, a simple human with the gall to think he could control the One Ring. The best of the lot's got to be Gandalf the Grey, and even he's loosing his edge." She paused and chuckled humourlessly at her audience. "Seriously, Elrond, this is a jest. Because if these are the people who will supposedly destroy the One Ring and the Dark Lord, then I'll just go on ahead and tell the rest of Middle-Earth to start saying their prayers right now shall I? Do not condemn me for being truthful, I would hate for this 'Fellowship' of yours to leave this place with false confidence. Good luck…" She turned back round. "…You'll need it." And was gone. The Fellowship remained silent,

"How dare she!" A lesser elf exclaimed once he was sure she was well and truly out of earshot. "She has no right to insult the choices of the Lord of Rivendell!"

"Silence." Elrond commanded. "She has her reasons."

A ray of light filtered down onto the straw covered floor below, tiny particles of dust dancing around in blissful unawareness of anything and everything. The air was filled with the heavy, musky sent of horses and all things associated. In one of the stalls that secluded parts of the stable from the others, Yuna stood brushing down Túlka's silvery grey mane as the beast happily munched through a bucket of oats. It was peaceful here, no one around but the horses and a stable hand who tracked in and out on occasion. She was relieved because of this, knowing that at the moment she wasn't exactly the most popular person in Imladris. Already rumours of goings on were floating into the welcoming ears of the inhabitants. Most telling of Middle-Earth's new saviours, others of the evil woman who had spitefully doomed what was to come. Once again her little habit of telling the truth had got her into trouble. Might not be the most glamorous job, but someone had to do it. So right now she was quite pleased to have four walls around her and a roof above her head.

"Its funny." Said a voice with such harmony that it instantly gave away its owner. "I guess I should be mad at you, I even suppose I should be furious. But I'm not." Yuna neither hesitated nor showed any overt recognition, she just carried on brushing.

"No, no, the Evenstar couldn't, wait I'll rephrase that, shouldn't get mad. It would ruin the whole perception now, wouldn't it?" She didn't mean to be spiteful, but for some reason it had just come out. Arwen smiled in the way that showed nothing but pure radiance, something so completely effortless for her. "Okay, why are you meant to be mad at me?"

"I would have thought you'd know. As you don't seem to, I shall explain. I have been informed of your, shall we say, display earlier. For the most part, I think you were almost right. Everyone wants the Fellowship to succeed, but you were the only one who dared to suggest it might not. I can't say I don't admire you for what you did, but you seem to have a habit of—"

"…Making people despise me?" She suggested all too cheerfully.

"You could say that." Arwen sighed, "All I'm saying is that you should trust Lord Elrond's decisions, if he didn't think it would succeed, he wouldn't have formed the Fellowship in the first place."

"It is not Elrond whom I doubt. It is whether or not the Fellowship themselves would be able to undertake this task." Arwen opened her mouth to speak, but Yuna carried on. "I will talk with him later on, in the meantime, do not let yourself be troubled by my words. I spoke too quickly, and may have been a little too harsh." She knew in her heart this wasn't true, but she wasn't about to tell the Evenstar she meant every word. Arwen merely nodded and left as quickly as she had arrived, leaving Yuna alone with her thoughts. 'I'll tell him tomorrow, tell him what I think of this Fellowship of his.'