Chronicle 2
The group had been riding for three days and Nienna was getting weary. They had passed over the mountains of Ered Luin and through The Shire. They had stopped for the night just before the town of Bree. Now they travelled onwards to Rivendell. Nienna's horse was weighted down with books; old books full of scripture about Sauron and the One Ring. Her own ring glowed brighter as they neared Rivendell.
"Are you all right, my Lady?" Lord Galedian, one of the companions from Ered Luin, rode to her side.
"I am fine, just tired. I worry for my father's health."
"You father is in the best hands in Ered Luin. Do not worry for him- think ahead to the council meeting."
Nienna smiled at him gratefully, "Thank you." She sat up and called out, "How far are we from Rivendell?"
"Not five leagues." the lead messenger replied. "If we speed up, we will be there in less than an hour."
Nienna nodded and the group burst into a gallop, leaving only dust behind them.
"Welcome." A young Elvin maiden greeted them as they arrived, while more elves came to see to their horses. "I am Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond."
Nienna smiled at Arwen's friendly and open manner. "I am Nienna, daughter of King Nátulcien of Ered Luin."
Just then, another group of elves rode in. "Ah, these must be the Elves of Mirkwood." Arwen smiled and walked forward.
A young, handsome elf jumped down from his horse, "I am Legolas, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood."
"Good afternoon, Lord Legolas." Arwen smiled warmly at him.
Nienna began to get down from her horse. "Allow me." Legolas stepped forward and held out his hand.
"Thank you." Nienna slipped her hand into his and jumped down from the horse.
"This is Nienna, daughter of King Nátulcien of Ered Luin." Arwen introduced her to Legolas.
Nienna smiled and turned to Arwen, "I have brought with me a number of books, which I believe may be of some help to your father. Is there any chance of my seeing him before the council meeting?"
"I am sorry, but currently my father is in consult with Gandalf the Grey. I can show you to your rooms. Follow me" Arwen beckoned them to follow her up the stairs.
Nienna turned and struggled to lift her many books.
"Allow me." Legolas lifted most of the books and carried them up the stairs.
"Thank you." Nienna lifted the rest and followed him.
"You are from Ered Luin? Is that not beside the oceans?" Legolas asked.
"Yes, when you look in one direction you see the mountains of Ered Luin, and when you look in the other, past the trees, you can see the ocean." Nienna replied.
"Is the ocean beautiful? I have heard it is." Legolas followed her down the corridor.
"Have you not seen the oceans?"
Legolas shook his head.
"Oh, they are the most beautiful sight you could behold. Although, I would like to see the trees of Fangorn." Nienna said.
"I have seen those. They say the trees talk and move."
"I have heard that tale too."
"This is your room." Arwen opened a door into a small chamber."
"Thank you." Nienna replied. She walked in and set her books down, turning she found Legolas standing in the doorway, holding her books.
"Oh, do come in." Nienna invited him. He entered and set the books on the desk beside the others.
"What are all these for?" he asked.
"They contain scripture on the Great Battle for Middle Earth, and Lord Sauron. I thought Elrond might have use for them." Nienna opened the books as she spoke.
Legolas looked from the text to her and stopped, "I must go and see to my elves."
Nienna smiled, "Yes." She led him to the door and shut it behind him.
Some hours later, Nienna sat in Elrond's study. "Lady Nienna, we expected your father to come." Elrond sat in front of her.
"My father is very ill and I could not permit his travelling. I am performing the King's duties at present and so came myself." she replied.
"Of course. My daughter said you wished to speak with me."
"Yes, my Lord. When your messengers came to me, I remembered a piece of jewellery my father gave to me some years ago. I read through these books," Nienna gestured towards her scriptures, "and found an interesting passage.
It speaks of a time when Sauron's power grew and he forged the one Ring. According to the scriptures the other rings given to elves, dwarves and men glowed brightly after an incantation. I found the incantation and repeated it.
For you see the piece of jewellery given to me was one of the three rings given to the elves. This ring," Nienna took out the ring, "has shone ever since."
Elrond took the ring and studied it. He called a messenger in and muttered something to him. The elf left and a few moments later, an elderly man appeared. "My Lady, this is Gandalf the Grey. He is wizard."
"My Lady." Gandalf kissed her hand, "Now Lord Elrond, why to you call me here? I was deep in conversation with Bilbo."
"Gandalf, look at this." Elrond handed him the ring.
Gandalf, too, studied it. Eventually he sighed, "This confirms our fears. Sauron's power is growing. I suggest the council meeting be moved forward to tonight."
"Yes, Gandalf." Elrond turned to Nienna, "My Lady, I suggest you go and inform your men that the meeting has been moved forward."
"Yes, my Lord." Nienna bowed and ran out of the room.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor." Elrond stood before them- a group of elves, dwarves and men, "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."
A small childlike creature stepped forward and placed a ring upon the stone table.
"Who is that?" Nienna asked Galedian.
"He is a hobbit from The Shire. His uncle, Bilbo, found the ring years ago." Galedian replied.
"It is a gift, 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." One of the men stood up while he spoke this.
"You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Another man, sitting near Elrond replied.
The first man turned to him, "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas jumped up, "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
The first man, who Nienna later learned was named Boromir, said, "Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas replied.
'Havo dad, Legolas Sit down, Legolas. ' Aragorn motioned for him to sit.
Legolas sat as Boromir said, "Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot control it." Gandalf cut in.
Elrond nodded, "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
The council sat in silence, all deep in thought. Then a dwarf jumped up, "Then what are we waiting for?" The dwarf took his axe and swung at the ring. There was a bright light, a loud crash and the dwarf was thrown backwards; his axe in pieces. The ring was still intact.
Elrond spoke over the noise, "The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that 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, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
Boromir began to speak very quietly, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that 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."
Legolas stood up again, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"
Gimli, the dwarf, jumped up, "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?"
Boromir continued over the noise, "And what if we fail? What then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli turned to Legolas, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!"
An argument broke out amongst them, but Nienna watched the ring. Suddenly she realized that the evil and malice in the ring was the cause of the discontent among the group. She jumped up and added to the din, "It's the ring! Don't you see? The ring makes us fight!" But no one heard her.
The commotion kept up until Frodo's voice was heard above the rest, "I will take it. I WILL TAKE IT!" He paused and looked at them, "I will take the ring to Mordor. Though… I do not know the way."
The group stared at him in silence. Gandalf smiled grimly, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, for as long as it is yours to bear."
Aragorn stepped forward, "If by my life or my death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."
Legolas walked to Frodo's side, "And you have my bow."
Gimli joined him, "And my axe."
Galedian placed his hand on Nienna's shoulder as she started to walk over. She looked at him and then at Elrond, who shook his head.
Boromir walked towards Frodo, "You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
Suddenly another Hobbit jumped out from behind a bush, "Here! Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
Elrond smiled grimly, "No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
Then another two Hobbits jumped out and ran over. "Oi!" one of them called out, "We're coming too. You'd have to tie us up in a sack to send us home!" Elrond looked at them gravely.
The other looked at him, "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing."
The first looked at the second and said, "Well, that rules you out, Pip."
Elrond surveyed them, "Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great." Pip looked around, "Where are we going?"
Nienna was calm until she and the other Ered Luin elves had left the council. "What was the meaning of that?" she wheeled round to face Galedian, "How dare you do something like that?"
"My Lady," Galedian bowed, "I was only thinking of what would be best for Ered Luin. If your father was to-"
"My father is not going to die! How dare you make a decision like that! I am acting Queen and accordingly I will decide what is best for Ered Luin. If I ever see a display like that again I will have you locked up for insubordination, do you understand?" Nienna stood before Galedian.
He bowed, "Yes, my Lady, of course. I apologise. It will not happen again."
"Lord Galedian was right in his actions." Nienna turned to face Elrond.
"Lord Elrond-" She began.
"No, my Lady. Something like this is too dangerous for an Elf Maiden such as yourself. I would have forbidden it myself." Elrond took her hand, "You must return to Ered Luin and prepare your soldiers for battle. A time will come soon when each Kingdom will be endangered and your people will need someone to look too."
"Then let them look to my father. He will be well enough by that time." Nienna turned on her heel and stormed off.
Nienna stood with her back against the door of her chamber, her eyes closed. She breathed deeply, opened her eyes and walked over to her bag. She was starting to put some books, which were of no use to Elrond, back into it, when there was a sharp rap on the door. "Enter!" she called.
"Lady Nienna."
"Ah, Gandalf..." Nienna turned to him, "Is there something you need?"
Gandalf shook his head, "No, I just wished to speak with you."
Nienna gestured for him to sit down.
Gandalf smiled and took the seat offered, "I overheard your conversation with Lord Elrond a few moments ago. Although I think you are a strong and able elf and someone who could prove to be of use to the Fellowship, I also think Elrond is right- it is too dangerous for an Elf Maiden. I was wondering what your actions from now are going to be."
Nienna sighed, "I'm not sure. For one thing, I would not consider myself a Maiden- I have been training for battle since I was 1000 years old. My father used to call me his little warrior." She paused, thinking, "What would you do?"
"I cannot say."
Nienna rolled her eyes, "I knew it-"
"I can however," Gandalf cut in, "tell you that you need to think seriously about your Kingdom."
Gandalf rose and walked to the door. He opened it and turned back, "Follow your heart, my lady. It will guide you better than any elf or wizard." He left Nienna staring out the window, deep in thought.
Nienna slowly opened her door and peeked round the corner. The corridor was deserted. Quietly, she pulled her door open and snuck out of the room. She closed the door behind her, making as little noise as possible. Her light feet made no sound as she slipped down the corridor.
She was almost out when she heard Elrond talking to Galedian, "The Fellowship have just left."
"Yes, my Lord. I will go and inform Lady Nienna that it is time to go."
Nienna sprinted into the next room as she heard Galedian move down the hall towards her. When she looked round she spotted double doors. Upon reaching them, she realised they led out onto a balcony. She went out and looked down. It didn't look far from the balcony to the ground, and it was at the back of the building so no one would see her. She swung her legs over and slowly lowered herself until she was hanging by her fingers. She dropped and ran off in the direction the Fellowship were travelling.
"Good. Very good." Nienna watched Boromir teach Merry and Pippin to swordfight. She had caught up with them on the fifth day and so far none of them had seemed to detect her presence, although she was sure Legolas and Aragorn might have seen or heard her, if not Gandalf.
She continued to watch them from her hiding place until Gimli's voice drew her eyes away, "If anyone were to ask my opinion, which I note they're not, I would say we're taking the long way round! Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome!"
"No, Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf replied.
"OW!" a loud yell from Pippin caused Cálena to return her attention to them. She giggled to herself as Merry and Pippin tackled Boromir to the ground.
"What is that?" Sam pointed into the air. Cálena looked up and squinted to try and make the shape out.
"Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud." Gimli dismissed it.
Boromir stood up to take a better look at it, "It's moving fast, against the wind."
Just as Cálena realised what it was, Legolas yelled out, "Crebain from Dunland!" Cálena rolled under a bush as the birds flew overhead.
Cálena looked up at Gandalf who said, "Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras."
Cálena sat and watched them start their climb up onto the mountain, 'If I was to take the road through Moria, I would go unnoticed and I would reach Lothlorien before they do.' Cálena turned and started towards the Walls of Moria.