The day after the council, Elrond called upon several to meet with him in his study. He himself was looking much better, if not still rather weary. At least his headache had ceased for the time being. Elrond understood well that everyone present still needed rest, and more counsel was really the furthest thing from everyone's mind after the day before, but he also knew that getting things decided sooner than later was imperative. That way when rest was had there would be no lingering, nagging thoughts or questions that would interrupt one's rejuvenation.
Faramir, Aragorn, Boromir, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Erestor, and Elrond were gathered together after the mid-day mealtime. Though their meeting concerned the quest to destroy the Ring, it was decided that fewer needed to attend this meeting and, moreover, that some who were closely involved still needed rest. Three of those who would be walking were already decided upon, for neither Sam nor Gandalf would consider not going with Frodo.
Glorfindel readily stood for Frodo, citing that he'd already done a part of the duty in fending off the wraiths and would be happy to continue that work. Erestor, however, vehemently opposed that offer, literally pulling Glorfindel back down into his seat. "Still have me booked for the next five years? patrols, have you?" Glorfindel said with a certain bite in his tone.
"Yes, actually, I have," Erestor said matter-of-factly. It was a little odd that for as much as Erestor detested Glorfindel, evident by his constant threats to throw him off the top of the bell tower, he seemed quick to always have him scheduled safely within the borders of Imladris. Erestor was highly incensed that Glorfindel had been sent out amongst Ringwraiths after the Hobbit, saying that it had thrown off his careful scheduling for likely the next three months. It went without saying that Erestor was not going anywhere himself, he was there strictly in a counseling capacity.
Gazes turned then to Faramir and Aragorn. Faramir's own gaze was directed at his father, and Aragorn's, in turn, at the elaborate stonework of the study floor. Eventually he looked upward as if he'd been having second thoughts of a decision he had not shared as yet. His talk with Boromir the day before had brought him to think seriously about some things that he had been doing his all to ignore for months, if not years. "I think that the time has come at last," Aragorn said very quietly and all present knew what he meant. "Though," he added, sounding like he hoped someone would talk him out of his choice, "my personal quest and the quest of the Ring-bearer are not wholly the same."
"No," Elrond said, "but they shall be the same for some while. Once a crossroads is come to, not all could follow anyhow. Indeed, there shall be more than one quest bound up in this one. I must agree with Erestor that Glorfindel should not go," he said, though his seneschal's eyes flashed of annoyance. "The strength of this mission must rely on secrecy, not grandeur."
"If you go, I go, father," Faramir said with conviction.
"No, Faramir, that cannot be," Aragorn said gently. "I can not take such a risk as to have you follow me, too much danger lies ahead. I would have you stay here, you have done more than your duty already."
"I love this place more than any other upon Arda and I would also wish to remain here, but what sense is there is that, ada?" Faramir argued. "If all shall be overwhelmed because we were one man short? I would not be party to that that it was for my want."
"I agree with Estel, Faramir," Elrond said, now earning a flash of annoyance from his grandson. "You should not go together, for there is too much danger in that course. However, I do also agree with you that every good fighter is going to be needed. Should the quest be discovered, which is a strong possibility that must not be overlooked, an attack will come swiftly and with vengeance. Though it is not 'formal,' you are still your father's son and we can not be as convinced of our defenses as to have you both in the same place at the same time."
Boromir, who had sat in silence not unlike he did at the council the day before then spoke. "I too would follow Aragorn, for if I discern his meaning correctly, then our paths are one and the same. I mean to return to Minas Tirith, though I will readily offer what help I can to your Ring-bearer as long as our roads remain together.?"
"And what, then, I am meant to do? Sit here, locked up like a jewel, and wait for the fight to come to me? My father and brother would go to defend a kingdom while I am put by as an emergency backup?" Faramir said heatedly. "Yes, it was my dearest dream to remain here all of my days in this peace. But now I know what they mean when they refer to the Shadow, I can no longer allow myself to have such dreams, not until I have seen the end of that Shadow. What use would I be if the Shadow really did make it to Imladris? It would all be over by then anyhow."
Elrond sighed deeply. "We all of us had hoped, Faramir, that you would be agreeable to remaining here. It has been so long, and you would do well with the rest.?"
"Surely you know, daeradar, that none now have such a luxury. I have said that I would dearly wish to remain here, but as long as i am able-bodied, I must do something to help."
"I believe that Faramir is right," Gandalf said, leaning over to whisper to Elrond.
Boromir looked over at Faramir with something akin to admiration shining in his eyes. It was clear to him that though their thoughts on war differed, they were still on the same side for the same reasons. Boromir had laid awake the night before musing on this new learning that he and Faramir were more than just shield brothers. He supposed he sensed it all along, their blood connection, but mumma had been gone for so long, and...
Elrond spoke again. "We shall need to set up some safe contacts along the way. I can do this in part, though I no longer trust to the messages I might send forth, the days are much too perilous to count on such things. However, it seems to me that we may be in need of just as much assistance in realms that are accounted friendly, or at least which resist Sauron and, so I hear now, Saruman also, as we do. The prevalent road toward Mordor runs through the land of Ithilien. Faramir, I understand that you had command of a patrol there?"
"Aye, daerada," Faramir said, wondering what his grandfather was getting at.
Elrond nodded. "Perhaps it would be wise for you to return to that land under cover and thus move to aid Frodo through when... if he comes. The most important aspect, however, is that you arrive before anyone else and appear to have nothing to do with the quest."
"Are you mad!" Boromir blurted out. "After the way he left Gondor, you think he can just walk back into his position? If I am not there also, my father would have his -"
"Your father may well recall a promise that he made some years ago," Elrond said cryptically. "What say you, Faramir, can this be done?"
Faramir thought for a moment. "I can likely bypass the Steward and simply return to Ithilien to resume my duties. The Steward would not be aware of it for some while and my company had no reason to believe that I would not return to them."
"That is well," Elrond said thoughtfully. "We have five then. I was rather hoping for nine, a balance of sorts. More than that, I should like to have all free races represented as this concerns us all. Naturally we can not ask for two Istari, but two Men and two Hobbits we have already, dare I ask for two Elves and two Dwarves?"
"Not if you want this group to get anywhere intact," Erestor muttered. Even despite the fact that he had carefully arranged so that the visiting Naugrim would have rooms completely separate from Elves of the House, there had still been clashes. Outside Elrond's study it sounded as if there was another clash arising.
"No, I am looking for Lord Elrond!" an Elf with a distinctly Mirkwoodian accent said in no soft tone.
"Not before me. I was here first!" countered a Dwarven voice.
"Ha! You are 1500 years too late to call yourself before me!" retorted the Elf. "Why do you not run along and play with your glittering things?"
"I would, but that your father has them all hoarded!" the Dwarf goaded.
"Do not speak of my father! It was your father who helped steal what was rightfully ours!" the Elf pressed on, now drawing a pair of fighting knives, against which was wielded an axe.
"Pardon me, gentlemen," Elrond said, interrupting a potential war. At once Legolas put his knives away, though Gimli still had a hold of his axe. "Young Gimli, you may recall that i assisted your father and Thorin's company in their mission," Elrond reminded tactfully. The Dwarf grunted and returned the axe to its holster. "Thank you."
"Master Elrond, i came to discuss joining this quest," Legolas said respectfully.
"No he didn't! I did!" Gimli jumped in.
Elrond could already feel his headache returning. "Please, come into my study. We happen to be discussing the very subject," he said with all the dignity he could manage. Just as Elrond was closing the door again, someone shouted for him to wait. Two small figures came speeding around the corner, all but crashing into Lord Elrond and the door.
"We want to join, too," Merry said. Pippin nodded, though he had not the slightest clue what this was really all about. Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam seemed to think this wouldn't be a fun adventure, but Pippin figured that as long as the four of them were going, it couldn't be too bad. At any rate, it couldn't really get worse than the trip in... could it?
"Oh, are we all going?" Pippin said, looking around at everyone who was gathered. There was Master Elrond, Gandalf, Strider, and the kind man from Gondor, Boromir. There also were several Elves, the big, blond one and the smaller dark-haired one who fought like an old married couple, and the quiet, woodland Elf who was often talking to Strider in a language Pippin didn't know. Then there was the younger Dwarf whom sort of unnerved Pippin, carrying several large axes around all the time and all. There was also another man there who Pippin didn't know. He couldn't decide if he must be Strider's son or Boromir's brother, though, perhaps all big folk looked alike. "Who are you, then?" Pip asked in his usual outspoken manner.
"I am Faramir, son of Aragorn," Faramir replied. Just then, he realized how truly freeing it felt to be finally able to acknowledge that fact.
"Ah, well, I figured it was that or his brother," Pippin said, gesturing toward Boromir.
"I am that as well," Faramir said with a proud smile.
"Oh…," Pippin said, looking a little perplexed. "Who's Aragorn, then?"
"Well," Elrond said, before things got too complicated. "If my arithmetic is correct, I do believe we have found our Nine. I shall ask you all together tomorrow once again. There will be much more yet to discuss. For now, I bid you all a very fine afternoon."
Those who were to be going with Frodo found themselves taking a deep breath. It was going to be a very interesting journey, that much was certain.
ooo
Finally i can write again! I was so sad after finishing HP - 6 this weekend that i just couldn't write. But, it's ok, cause i did say that it might not be till mid-week, and here we are, mid-week!
AM: I usually like writing dialogue more than just telling you that something happened. Lot's of heart-to-hearts in my writing because i think such a thing is lacking in our world. People do not talk openly.
steelelf: Don't kill? I can't say anything one way or the other yet. They haven't even started out yet,so...
Elenhin: I've built some neat sandcastles. One of my favorite techniques is to take a handful of watery sand and let it drip out of your closed hand, makes a cool "ruins" effect. Anyway, i'm supposed to go to Atlantic City in October. A bit late in the season for sun and swimming, but i can always play on the beach! A couple of years ago i was feeling particularly childish one winter day and made snow angels, but no snowmen. Anyway, Aragorn is definitely a good dad, and you really didn't think i could keep Boromir mad at his little brother for very long, did you?
linda: Ah... things are starting to become clearer now. Everything is starting to mean more than it did earlier.
tracey: I did consider Boromir being surprised by how young Aragorn looked in relation to his son, only maybe 10 years old, if that. But then i thought that having a share of Numenorean blood himself he probably would not be all that shocked by it. I just decided to leave on a canonical basis, i guess the underlying thing is that, more or less, iwanted to show that Boromir is not on a level much lower than Aragorn or Faramir, that he and his father are still a very strong line, peers almost. As i said to steelelf, i can't say anything just yet.
Wow... only two appeals for Boromir's life? Hmm...