The Council of Elrond
A/N: A quick update? *gasp* Now we're getting the Council of Elrond. Huge thank you to the guest on and Jo and Moonfox on AO3 for the feedback and encouragement! It truly does mean a lot! I'm happy to say that this chapter went so much smoother than the last one, and it was pretty fun to write too. Also, the actual council scene itself is really… It's a lot, and I think some things that happen are a bit drastic and extreme, but hopefully it's coherent and things don't seem too crazy or far-fetched.
In the few days leading up to the council, Talion saw several parties arrive in Rivendell. While he usually spent most of his time with Bilbo, Elrond, or Strider, he felt the need to greet their visitors. The first were a group of elves, who were nice enough after introductions were made. One in particular, Legolas, warmed up to him quickly after a quip in Sindarin that left one of his companions quite red in the face at lunch that day. In Talion's defense, the elf had it coming for thinking he could talk about him behind his back. While the rest of his company stared at Talion in shock, whether from his use of Sindarin or the quip itself, Legolas laughed heartily, inviting Talion to join them at their table and apologizing for his companion. Eltariel greeted the Prince of Mirkwood, as she would later tell Talion, as an old friend, having spent a winter in Thranduil's kingdom after a mission gone wrong as a young ellith.
"Prince of Mirkwood?" Talion paled, not even considering that there would be royalty and other lords and leaders in Rivendell for the council. Eltariel smirked at the panic on his face, but quickly reassured him.
"Not to worry. He never cared much for the title, though he can certainly live up to it given the right circumstances."
"I take it you've witnessed that firsthand?" She nodded.
"Even his father was impressed with him that day. I don't think King Thranduil had ever seen him take charge like that before."
"A story you'll both have to share with me another time, I'm sure."
The next day saw a party of men arrived. The man leading them, Boromir, he introduced himself as, greeted Talion with warmth, glad to meet another man in a realm of elves. At dinner, he revealed that he and his party had arrived from Minas Tirith, and Talion took the opportunity to inquire about his old home. Boromir seemed reluctant to speak in front of his companions, so Talion pulled him aside to continue the conversation. He seemed to trust Talion, despite only just meeting him that day, and he wasn't used to having someone other than Faramir to talk to, so Boromir told him about Gondor's prosperity… At the cost of his father's sanity. He told of his concern for Denethor's desire for "Isildur's Bane", how the very idea of Gondor in possession of such an item was slowly driving his father to madness. Nevertheless, Boromir remained optimistic that his concerns would all be for nothing in the end, though Talion wasn't so sure. Eltariel didn't seem to trust Boromir very much.
"Why not?" Talion asked her.
"He is Denethor's favorite son, the eldest and more reckless of the two. If anything, I expected him to send Faramir. He, at least, has some skill in politics, and common sense."
"I do admit, he did seem eager to see the One Ring with his own eyes…"
"And we all know what happens to men when—" Talion raised an eyebrow as she cut herself off.
"No, please. Do finish that sentence," he told her bitterly, frowning. She scoffed, but he could hear her guilt in her next statement.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"And yet you've been prone to reminding me of that lately."
"I didn't mean to—
"I know, Eltariel." He shook his head with a sigh. "I understand your concerns about him, and I share them myself. Let us just hope the council has more sense than that when everyone is here."
"Lord Elrond and Mithrandir are not so naive or foolish to trust Gondor to safeguard the One Ring. They will want to destroy it just as much as we do."
"I hope the other council members are of the same mind."
The day of the official council meeting arrived along with a party of dwarves, several of whom didn't seem to be especially excited to be in Rivendell. The dwarves took a bit longer to warm up to Talion, though a round of drinks and war stories quickly changed their tune, he found at breakfast. The dwarf Gimli was especially animated, and challenged Talion to a drinking contest at the next available opportunity. Talion promised to think about it as they left the Hall of Fire, and Eltariel watched them go with abhorrence. Talion didn't miss the look.
"At least they'll all be sober during the council meeting," she remarked, scowling. "Although that might not matter in the slightest." Talion regarded her for a moment, and she caught his eye. "It is not that I share my brethren's hate and distrust of dwarves. I have just encountered too many of Durin's more hotheaded, arrogant, and selfish folk in my travels."
"I admit they can be a bit brash and excitable, but they are a fine folk once you get to know them."
"Torvin was tolerable at best, if he could shut up about how many graugs he'd killed long enough to have an actual conversation."
"When did the two of you meet?"
"I once found him caught in the middle of a pair of fighting graugs. Suffice it to say he was grateful for a swift escape." Talion couldn't help but laugh.
"I bet he claimed he'd never live down being rescued like that."
"He's lucky I heard his frantic yelling, or I would've just gone back the way I came!"
The rest of the morning went by fairly quickly, with Sam, Merry, and Pippin cheerfully introducing a recently woken Frodo to Talion after telling of his and Eltariel's daring rescue. The poor hobbit seemed a bit confused, and had a look of sadness in his eyes that Talion couldn't help but notice.
"It's good to see you in such good health, Frodo. I am Talion." He held out his hand, which Frodo took after a moment, but not without noticing Isildur's Ring. His eyes went wide, and he stared at Talion in a mix of astonishment, sorrow, and relief.
"You're a Ring-bearer too?" Talion nodded after a moment, sharing in the feeling of knowing that someone else understands.
"Yes. I'll be at the council meeting to offer input if needed, and to ensure no one gets any ideas about taking your Ring."
"I still don't see why we can't be there," Sam chimed in. "We already know about the Black Riders and the Ring. It isn't fair that we have to wait to hear what happens. We have just as much right as anyone else who's going to be there." Talion remembered Strider's words from several nights ago as Sam tried to make his point. I suppose… I don't want to involve them in any more danger than they've already faced… Any one of them could have shared the same, or an even worse, fate.
"I see your point, but the matters they plan to discuss are dark and dangerous, far more dangerous than anything the three of you could possibly dream of," Talion told them. The three, Pippin in particular, looked even more discouraged at that. As Frodo gave them apologetic looks as he took his leave, Talion followed behind, telling them with a small smile, "But no one has to know you're there." Sam looked surprised, but Pippin and Merry wore twin mischievous grins. Talion hoped they wouldn't get into too much trouble afterward.
XxX
It was nearly noon by the time most of the members of council arrived at the designated meeting place. Surrounded by trees, other greenery, statues, and other buildings, the round stone gathering place currently held a semicircle of twenty chairs, a small round table in its center. An extra seat had been added for Eltariel next to Legolas, who greeted her kindly as everyone else seated themselves. Elrond sat at the open end of the semicircle, Erestor and Glorfindel sat on either side of him. To Elrond's left sat Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, and representatives from Mirkwood. To his right sat representatives of Gondor, the Lonely Mountain, and Strider. Talion situated himself outside of the gathering, in the corner of the building walls enclosing one part of the area, but still able to observe the meeting's proceedings.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old… You've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor…" Talion watched each of the council members carefully as Elrond spoke. He knew some were there with honest intentions, while others… Others sought power, control. He listened as Bilbo and Gandalf told the tale of the One Ring, how Bilbo had first discovered it and the events that unfolded afterward. When it was confirmed that what they were talking about was indeed the One Ring, the other groups relayed why they had come. Gloin, the father of Gimli, told of messengers who'd arrived at Erebor inquiring about the whereabouts of Bilbo Baggins, who had taken something that didn't belong to him, and about the disappearance of Balin, Ori, and Oin into Moria. Legolas spoke of Gollum's escape from Mirkwood's dungeons. Gollum had revealed to him and Gandalf that he'd been captured and taken to Mordor, where he'd given up Bilbo's name and location to escape further torture. Boromir declined to speak, until Elrond said, "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." Talion watched with everyone else as Frodo placed a small gold ring on the stone table at the center of the meeting place. As soon as Talion got a clear look at the One Ring, he could hardly pay attention to Boromir's next words as the New Ring burned hot and bright on its chain. He grabbed it with a silent gasp, staring at it in confusion as images of a bruised and battered Celebrimbor staring down a smirking, but winded Sauron with less than good intentions flashed through his mind. He braced himself against the wall and took a deep breath as his vision returned to normal.
It was then that he could hear faint whispers of the One Ring's ancient dark magic, and he saw its effects on the council members, who all gazed at it with a mix of shock, awe, and fear, seemingly leaning forward in their seats to get a closer look. It wasn't until Boromir had made it to the stone table, reaching out to take the Ring in a mesmerized state, that he interfered. Dropping the New Ring back out of sight, he shadow struck Boromir, grabbing his outstretched arm in a death grip as Gandalf chanted the One Ring's inscription in Black Speech. The elves gripped their heads in pain, eyes squeezed shut; the dwarves shouted in alarm, covering their ears; the men cowered and despaired; and the hobbits stared transfixed and horrified at the Ring as an unnatural darkness descended upon Rivendell for a brief moment, a boom! of thunder echoing through the air.
Boromir stumbled backwards in terror into his seat as Talion abruptly let go of his arm, unsettled at the sound of Sauron's warped, dark laughter following the end of Gandalf's words. He took a few steps back from the One Ring, catching Eltariel's eye across the area. Never before had she seen such fear within him, and he'd faced down Sauron himself without so much as a tremble! Talion glared at the One Ring once he recovered. Even halfway across Middle-Earth Sauron laughed at him. In his brief moment of fear, he realized that Sauron didn't seem to take any threat to himself seriously. He thrived on the seeds of hopelessness and fright that he'd planted since the moment he'd arrived in Middle-Earth, and nothing at the moment could stop him except the one thing that would find its way back to him by any means necessary.
"Never before has anyone uttered that tongue here in Imladris," Elrond directed at Gandalf with a piercing look. Gandalf leaned on his staff for support, looking drained yet unapologetic as he took his seat.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, 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," a now recovered Boromir countered.
"A gift?" Talion questioned, outraged, finally breaking his silence. All eyes were on him now, some wary, and many curious about what their newcomer had to say. "That Ring has corrupted the hearts of many people, good people, honorable people. It changed even Isildur himself, and when his obsession over the Ring proved to be too much it led him to his death!"
"Isildur is but one man who simply lost his way. He had no use for the Ring except as a keepsake, a trophy, a reminder of a glorious victory. You're right. It did lead him astray, but this time is different! This time the Ring would have a purpose!" Boromir was intent on making Talion see reason, but Talion would have none of it.
"And how many others have said something similar, have befallen the same fate?! Even a lesser Ring of Power would eventually have the same effect. Slowly, day by day, it eats at your will, whispers empty promises and false dreams in your ear, until one day you look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself anymore."
"And just how would you know about such a thing?" Gimli questioned, eyes narrowed. "The only lesser Ring you could possibly have is one of the Rings of Men, and the Nazgul have them all." Talion grimaced, already regretting the idea in his head.
"Not all of them," Eltariel told him in dismay, knowing exactly what Talion intended to do. She received many confused looks, and of the confused council members Legolas was the first to realize what she meant. He'd seen it upon meeting Talion, but never did he imagine…
"You don't mean…"
Closing his eyes, Talion listened to his Ring's dark whispers, felt his anger and contempt for Sauron and the Nazgul threaten to bubble over the surface, saw Barad-dur crumbling and engulfed in flames, heard the shrieks and screams of those who would someday fall by his hand. The council members tensed then shouted in alarm as darkness once again descended upon Rivendell. Black spread through his veins, spider webbing across his face. As he opened his eyes, the color of fire overtook his irises. A strong wind whipped his hood over his head as green and black tendrils of cold, vile, energy shrouded him. Several swords and axes were raised in response to the drastic physical change, Elrond, Aragorn, Eltariel, and Gandalf's shouts barely enough to keep the on edge council members at bay.
"You brought a Nazgul to our council meeting?!" Gimli demanded to know. He put all of his strength behind a swing aimed at Talion, but Talion was ready. Drawing Urfael in the blink of an eye, he countered the blow in an instant, a clever parry sending Gimli's axe sailing through the air behind him, clattering to the ground and skidding underneath his chair.
"Make no mistake, I am no Nazgul," Talion told him, hissing at the sinister, spectral sound of his voice. "Though I am well on my way to becoming one. It is the price I pay for freeing the original wielder of the Ring," he continued, catching Strider's eye in understanding before looking back at Gimli. "And it is a burden I chose, and continue to choose, to bear." Gimli fumed, wrenching an axe out of one of his companion's hands for another attempt at ending Talion's life. In an instant, Eltariel was on her feet, blocking Gimli's blow with gritted teeth and throwing him back with a grunt. He growled, tossing the borrowed axe back to its rightful owner in defeat.
"I think your point has been made, Talion," Eltariel remarked, eyeing him with concern. "And if you truly worry for your life, Master Dwarf…" With a blaze of light, Eltariel enveloped and shielded herself, Gimli, and the rest of his companions. "The Light of Galadriel ensures that no entity of darkness can reach us." To demonstrate her point, Talion attempted to walk through the barrier, sword pointed forward. The barrier stretched inwards a few feet, but held, deflecting each swipe Talion aimed at it. As the two sheathed their weapons, Eltariel dropped the barrier, but kept a close eye on Gimli, whose glare appeared vicious enough to kill. They took their seats again. Talion tried to focus on the feeling of the still vigorously burning New Ring around his neck. He tried to let go of some of his anger and hatred for Sauron and the Nazgul, to remember himself, to distance himself from the darkness, but… His eyes slowly fell on the One Ring, which seemed to taunt him, mock him, dare him to take it. This didn't go unnoticed by those who believed in him. The longer he listened, the more it seemed to draw him in, but the burning of the New Ring turned painful, snapping him out of his trance. With effort, he tore his gaze away, the pain dissipating, eyes now fixed on a paralyzed Boromir.
"The One Ring would drive you to madness. Purpose or no purpose, it would bend you to its will eventually. One way or another you would fall prey its influence." Boromir gulped, but met Talion's gaze.
"You say you chose this burden… But why? If," he gestured to Talion uncertainly, "This is what happens as a result of wearing that Ring, then why?" Talion sighed, looking down at Isildur's Ring.
"I was lying in a pool of my own blood, my life slowly draining out of me, when I put this Ring on. I made a promise to undo all of the evil that came from my failure to keep Sauron and the Nazgul at bay in Mordor, that my fate would be my own, that no matter how long it took I wouldn't lose myself to the darkness so long as I had something to fight for…" He looked around at the rest of the council members. "I chose this burden because I knew that if Mordor fell, so would the rest of Middle-Earth. I fight for a future without the worry of a Great Eye, of the Nine, of an army of orcs or dark creatures. I fight for a future of peace. That is my purpose."
"Then there is hope yet," Boromir said, some of his confidence regained, standing and addressing the council. "If he can do it, why can't one of us? 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." Strider and Talion, and then Eltariel and Talion, shared a look of frustration and concern. "There are many strong willed, honorable, driven men like yourself within our walls," he told Talion, before imploring to the rest of the council, "Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"
"Have you heard nothing we have said?!" questioned Eltariel. "If a lesser Ring can change someone in such a way, what hope do you have of fighting the One Ring? It would never serve you!"
"You cannot wield it. None of us can," Strider interjected, drawing Boromir's attention. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asked with a sneer.
"He is no mere Ranger," Legolas declared, standing from his seat with a glare. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Talion's eyes widened, falling on a clearly unprepared Aragorn. Everyone turned in Aragorn's direction as Boromir addressed him.
"Aragorn. This… Is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas told him.
"Havodad, Legolas," Aragorn told him with a sigh. Legolas met his gaze defiantly, but took his seat again. He then told Boromir, "He speaks the truth. I am Isildur's heir, and I will one day return to Gondor. As a king or as just another man, I do not yet know. What of it?" Boromir made his way back to his seat, voice venomous as he replied.
"Gondor has no king… Gondor needs no king." Aragorn met his challenging gaze, unphased by Boromir's anger and contempt. Gandalf was the next to speak, breaking the tense silence.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it." At this Elrond stood, sensing his opportunity.
"You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." Eltariel let out a breath of relief.
"Finally, someone with sense," she muttered under her breath. It was then that Gimli grabbed his axe from under his chair.
"Then what are we waiting for?" With a battle cry he swung his axe down on the One Ring, only for the axe to shatter on impact. Talion saw Frodo flinch in his seat, checked on by Gandalf, Bilbo looking a bit unnerved as well. Gimli sat up from his place on the ground, having been thrown back, bewildered.
"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… One of you must do this." The council fell silent, trying to process the daunting, near impossible task set before them. Boromir had his face in his hands, just as stunned and lost as everyone else.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," he remarked, sitting back up straight. "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." Many council members paled at that. "It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume…" He shook his head hopelessly. "Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly."
"You won't need ten thousand men," Talion told him, startling the council. "For the last decade I have fought my way through orcs, trolls, drakes, creatures and monstrosities you could only imagine. And yes, much of the land is bleak, crumbling, dying… But there is more to Mordor than that. There are forests and plains as far as the eye can see in one direction, and snowy mountains and frozen lakes in the other. There are those who stand against Sauron, entire civilizations that survive under the harshest of conditions, fighting for Middle-Earth's freedom. There are armies…" He turned to Eltariel, who nodded for him to continue. "That fight, united under a banner against Sauron and his forces of darkness. Nurnen, Cirith Ungol, Seregost, Gorgoroth… Minas Morgul, are all allies against him."
"I've heard enough!" Gimli shouted. "Mordor is a land of evil. There are no armies or outposts that would fight with us. Orcs are all the same. They're vile, unfeeling freaks of nature. Killing is in their nature. They serve no one but Sauron! And why should we trust you when you wear the face of an enemy and a Ring to serve him with?"
"These armies you mention," Aragorn began, choosing to ignore Gimli's outburst. "Who do they follow?"
"You believe him?" Boromir questioned.
"They follow me," Talion answered without hesitation.
"You're insane!" Boromir exclaimed.
"How'd you do it?" Legolas suddenly asked. Gimli and Boromir looked at him as if he were crazy. "How did you get them to follow you?" Talion took a deep breath before answering.
"In the beginning… I forced them under my influence with a brand," he held up one hand, which glowed green with energy, "In an attempt to take back the Black Gate and the land we lost. Over time, however, I no longer needed to. Orcs would come willingly, offering their service in the hopes of being able to live freely, out from under Sauron's thumb… They are a people, the same as dwarves, elves, hobbits, and men. They have homes, customs, traditions, a culture that brings even the most vicious of their society together. Many of them want Sauron gone just as much as we do."
"And they would help us, these orcs of yours?" Gandalf asked. "If we were to reach Mordor, they would be our allies and not our enemies?"
"Yes," Talion stressed.
"I've witnessed it firsthand," Eltariel spoke up, standing and joining Talion's side. "Talion had found me imprisoned, at the top of Barad-dur, and brought me to one of his strongholds. His orcs insisted on nursing me back to health until our departure, offering clothes, food, medicine. However strange it was, they were far from the orcs that attack anyone on sight." Elrond regarded him with an unreadable expression.
"Are you offering to take the Ring, Talion?"
"Now wait just a minute!" Gimli commanded.
"You can't be serious!" Boromir declared.
"No," Talion replied quietly, stopping their arguments before they could start. "I have my own Ring to struggle with. I have held out this long, but I know that I wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the One Ring. And… I know that it is not my burden to bear." His eyes fell to Frodo, who fearfully met his gaze. To everyone's surprise, it was Bilbo who spoke up next.
"Then why don't I take it?"
"Uncle!" Frodo exclaimed.
"I've worn it before. I know the dangers, and I'm not afraid. I started this mess. The least I can do is finish it. Let me do it."
"You cannot," Gandalf told him. "It has been many years since your last adventure, old friend, and as noble of an offer as that is, you are no longer the Ring's bearer, and cannot take it back. No, the task must fall to someone else."
"It is pointless to debate!" Boromir told them, standing. "Armies of ally orcs in Mordor is insanity. The only orcs we'll meet are the ones eager to put our heads on pikes. Taking the Ring there is asking for a death wish. There must be something else we can do!"
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said?" Legolas questioned angrily, rising to his feet. "The Ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" Gimli accused hostilely.
"And if we fail, what then?" Boromir questioned. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!"
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli declared. The comment sent the council into an uproar, almost everyone now on their feet, debating and arguing, threatening and accusing. Talion and Eltariel looked around in alarm at the chaos. Elrond, Erestor, and Glorfindel surveyed the events unfolding with no clue how to defuse the situation. All the while Frodo sat, staring transfixed and panicked at the One Ring. Bilbo followed his gaze, trying and failing to desperately get Frodo's attention, until Frodo suddenly stood, something snapping within him.
"I will take it!" he declared, drawing Talion and Eltariel's attention. "I will take it!" he shouted again, and the noise died down as everyone turned to look at him, astonished. Gandalf looked to him in despair, but could not help feeling proud of his bravery. "I will take the Ring to Mordor… though, I do not know the way." Gandalf was the first to join his side.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, for as long as it is yours to bear." Aragorn joined them next.
"By my life or death, if I can protect you, I will," he told him, kneeling down to him and taking his hand briefly. "You have my sword." Gandalf and Elrond shared a relieved look.
"And you have my bow," Legolas added, joining them also.
"And my axe," Gimli assured, much to Legolas' displeasure. Boromir, to everyone's surprise, stepped up soon after.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Here!" a voice suddenly chimed in, Sam sprinting to Frodo's side. "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 secret council and you are not," Elrond agreed, failing to hold back an amused smile.
"Hey! We're coming too!" another new voice shouted. Elrond turned in shock to see Merry and Pippin running to join the group. Talion couldn't hide a smile of his own, but quickly dropped it as Elrond looked at him as if to ask if he knew about them being there. "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."
"Anyway, you need people with intelligence on this sort of mission… quest… thing," Pippin finally settled on.
"Well, that rules you out, Pip," Merry told him. Gandalf looked on at the pair in exasperated fondness.
"We set out from Mordor at the news of the One Ring's discovery, to ensure its destruction and Sauron's demise. I would do everything within my power to help you, and I would join you, if you'll have me," Talion told them, meeting Gimli and Boromir's death glares head on.
"I offer my sword as well," Eltariel told them. "You will be faced with many dangers along the way. If I am able to fight against them so that this quest can succeed, then I would be honored to join you." Aragorn and the hobbits looked to them gratefully as they also joined the group, Gandalf and Legolas regarding them warily, but kindly.
"Eleven companions…" Elrond observed. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Fellowship," Frodo whispered, testing the word.
Gimli and Boromir seemed to have some choice words for Talion, but the moment was thankfully interrupted by Pippin, effectively shattering the volatile atmosphere and drawing a few chuckles out of everyone as he asked, "Right, where are we going?"
***Havodad: sit down
Closing A/N: Well, this chapter came together quickly. Not too quickly, I hope. I cut a scene that kind of messed with the chapter's flow, and I did some research on a few things, and quoted some things, and I thought some things through… Aaaaand, thanks to some advice and suggestions from Jo, I've got a pretty good idea of how the splitting of the Fellowship will look. I got a lot done for a day and a half's work, I think. The next few chapters are going to be quite interesting and challenging to write, mostly because I don't think I've ever written anything with so many important characters in it, but I think it'll be fun. Thanks to everyone reading, and I'll see y'all next chapter! :)