Reflection and Departure
A/N: The Fellowship has some time to consider just what they signed themselves up to do. Also, Eltariel has a heart in there somewhere, and gets a thing or two off her chest. Also also, Bilbo is the best. After a very long two month wait, goodbyes are said, threats are spoken, and Rivendell is left behind as our heroes set out to do the unthinkable. I'm sorry if it's a bit all over the place; this was another chapter that kind of fought me. Filling a two month gap isn't as easy as I thought it would be, and I'm unsure on a lot of things I've written (I have a feeling I've gone against the lore in here somewhere).
After the council was dismissed, the various members of the Fellowship went their separate ways for the rest of the day. Talion and Eltariel watched each group leave the meeting place, until it was just the two of them. As soon as the One Ring was out of sight, Talion felt an enormous weight lift from his shoulders, and he took a deep, steadying breath that didn't go unnoticed by Eltariel.
"The One Ring. What… Happened?" she asked, worry evident in her voice. "The way you looked at it…"
"I… I'm not completely sure, but…" He brought the now normal looking New Ring into view, considering it carefully. "As soon as I laid eyes on the One Ring, I saw something. The New Ring started glowing, burning, and…" He paused, the images flashing through his mind again, and he couldn't help the stab of worry in his gut at the memory of an injured Celebrimbor.
"What did you see?"
"Celebrimbor," he told her after a moment. "And Sauron. They looked as if they'd been fighting."
"How is that possible? How could you see them when they're halfway across Middle-Earth?" Talion thought on the question himself, and it wasn't long before he came up with an answer.
"I do not know for sure… But I have a theory." If Talion could see Celebrimbor because their souls were bonded within the New Ring, did that mean the New Ring was reacting to the part of Sauron's soul that resided in the One Ring? "And I hope that I am wrong."
Without explaining further, Talion turned to walk back up the path everyone had taken to get to the meeting place, dropping the New Ring back out of sight. Eltariel followed soon after, and the two wandered Rivendell in silence for a while, passing the various groups from the council as they did. The men of Gondor seemed reluctant to let Boromir go, but accepted that there was nothing they could do about the decision. The same seemed to be true of the Mirkwood elves, who were not so keen to see their prince set off on yet another long, dangerous adventure, but wished him nothing less than the best. The dwarves seemed the least worried of the groups, instead making Gimli promise to regale them with plenty of tales of battles and far off lands when he returned to them safely, though Talion was sure they were saying that, in part, to hide their concern. The hobbits were the most worried, Sam and Frodo quietly discussing the many possible happenings of the journey ahead while Merry was in deep conversation with Pippin, whose earlier smile and humor disappeared more and more the longer the two spoke.
"I don't think they've realized just what it is they've volunteered to do," Eltariel told him sadly, watching them for a few moments. "I don't think they can even fathom…"
"I know… But do any of us truly understand what we've agreed to? There's no telling what we'll encounter on our way to Mordor. Orcs and the Nazgul most definitely, of course, but there will be more than just physical enemies that threaten us. And… There's no telling what kind of chaos three Rings of Power can create."
"But the New Ring hasn't—
"It reacts whenever the One Ring is in my sights. I don't know if that was a one time occurrence, but I'm willing to bet it wasn't. I only hope it won't cause any tension between Frodo and myself." The poor hobbit had already been through enough already. He didn't need to worry about a potentially dangerous Talion too.
"And Isildur's Ring? Now that it is close to the One Ring, do you worry?" Talion sighed, but nodded.
"Yes. It's bad enough that I hear the Witch King in my head whenever the New Ring's pull is too great, but to hear Sauron as well…" He trailed off and shook his head, trying not to dwell on it. They continued walking, surrounded by wildlife and greenery when next they spoke.
"I'm concerned about our companions," Eltariel admitted after much thought, drawing a curious glance from Talion.
"Oh?"
"It is clear that Gimli and Boromir do not trust you, and though Mithrandir and Legolas have their doubts, they will come around eventually. I just have a feeling that neither Gimli nor Boromir would mind seeing you dead." Talion observed her expression, his own softening at just how truly worried she looked.
"But it's not just that, is it?" he asked quietly. She shook her head, eyes cast downward.
"No. We all saw you at the council meeting. Even now your dark visage remains. If we do this, you'll have to fight the influence of both Isildur's Ring and the One Ring, and while I know you're strong…" She looked to him then, a determined, emotional fire in her eyes. "I will not see you come to harm because of what the One Ring inevitably does to everyone who comes in contact with it, and if I must, I will fight our companions." Talion stopped in his tracks, stunned at Eltariel's sudden declaration.
"Where is this coming from?" he asked her. She stopped next to him, expression conflicted, seeming to not know herself.
"When you said that none of us truly understood what we agreed to do, you were right. We don't know what to expect, but what I do know is that there are those who would strike you down because you look like the enemy, even though you are anything but."
"They are afraid," Talion told her, "Of what I might do, that I could turn on them. They fear what they do not understand. I know they may never see me as an ally, and… I've… accepted the fact." She looked to him then, more determined than he'd ever seen her before, unsure of where her words and feelings were coming from but not intending to stifle them.
"But you shouldn't have to! They fear you, they claim to hate you, because they don't know who you are, but I do! You are a good man, a valiant man, who's given up everything so that the very people who fear you, who seek to kill you, can live in a world without a great evil who threatens everything they hold dear. We may not like each other, but I will not see you fall, to them or the influence of the Rings." It was when they both heard those words leave her mouth that they understood. "I will not see you fall," she repeated, quieter this time, as she looked away.
"Eltariel…" Talion was truly at a loss of words.
"Even if it means…" She trailed off, suddenly becoming lost in thought, seeming to relive something that truly and deeply pained her. It wasn't until Talion hesitantly laid a hand on her shoulder that she met his eyes, his blue eyes.
"Thank you," he whispered sincerely. "I… To hear you say such things—
"There is nothing to thank me for," she replied after a moment. "Celebrimbor is not the only person who believes in you." He was shocked by the statement, and Eltariel managed a small smile. "Who else could call you away from the waking world, except the one whose soul is bound to yours? And who else could you be thinking about every time you hold the New Ring when you think I'm not looking?" Talion scoffed, but didn't deny the statements.
"Alright, I think you've made your point," he replied, failing to hold back a small smile of his own. He looked to the sky and the slowly setting sun. "Perhaps we should return, before night falls."
"Perhaps," Eltariel agreed, leading the way back into the city, a comfortable silence settling between the two. For the first time since they'd met, Talion felt as if he could finally begin to see beyond who Eltariel seemed to be in Mordor. She cared, even if she tried not to show it all the time. The thought gave him comfort as they joined the others for dinner in the Hall of Fire that night.
XxX
"What do you mean we have to wait?" an irked Boromir asked the next day. Elrond and Gandalf had called the members of the Fellowship to discuss their next course of action, and it seemed a few of them weren't very happy with what they'd been told. They were all gathered on one of the balconies of the Last Homely House, with a view of waterfalls roaring in one direction and the quiet city in another.
"Frodo has barely been awake for an entire day, and though his injury has been healed, its effects have not. To leave now would put his life in danger," Elrond began.
"And I'm sure you'll want to know that the paths you choose to take are safe. Unless you'd like to risk the Nazgul or a band of orcs catching you out in the open?" Gandalf asked. Boromir fell silent at that.
"Let them come. We will be ready for them," Gimli declared. Eltariel, Aragorn, and Talion shared the same look of exasperation.
"We are sending out various groups to scout the areas ahead. We want to ensure your safety upon your departure, and it will give us an idea of the enemy's movements. And I am sure you are all weary from your travels. Take this time to rest, and prepare yourselves for the perilous journey ahead of you." The hobbits looked the most relieved of the group, glad that they would not be made to set out immediately. Legolas and Aragorn seemed to be in agreement with Elrond and Gandalf, but Boromir and Gimli didn't look pleased with the news. A majority of the Fellowship left after a few questions, Gimli glaring at Talion and Eltariel as he went and Boromir fixing them with an unreadable look as he passed. Aragorn stayed behind, asking Elrond if he could join one of the scouting parties, while Talion and Eltariel directed their questions to Gandalf.
"How long will the scouts be gone?" Talion asked.
"It is hard to say. Some of our scouts will be meeting with the Rangers to cover more ground, and some will go as far as the Mirkwood and Lothlorien. Should things go well, and without much delay, perhaps one or two months."
"Months? But…"
"Are you so eager to leave, Talion?" Gandalf asked. Talion shook his head after a moment.
"No. It's just… Much can happen in such a span of time, and there is the question of what to do until we can depart."
"Enjoy the reprieve while it is available," Gandalf answered simply. "Rivendell is a beautiful place. There is much to be seen and learned from here, and I'm sure you will have no problems finding any information you seek," he answered, with yet another gleam in his eye that had Talion bursting to know just how the wizard seemed to know everything.
"I… shall keep that in mind." Eltariel smirked at Talion's expression before addressing Gandalf with seriousness.
"Do you think they'll encounter any immediate threats?"
"Again, it is hard to say. There have been no reports of orcs or enemies in the surrounding areas since my arrival here, and the Ford has swept the Nazgul away. No doubt, they won't be eager to meet such a magically powerful foe as Lord Elrond. I do not believe so, but Talion is right in saying that much can happen in a month, or two. We can only hope for the best."
XxX
"… And what do you think of—" Bilbo cut himself off as he took in Talion's distracted expression. The man wasn't listening to a word he was saying, too lost in thought to respond. The two had been working on a chapter for There and Back Again in Bilbo's room, Bilbo asking for Talion's input on how best to pace and separate certain parts of his journey. He had just been about to ask the best way to organize his first time using the One Ring during an escape of a small goblin army, sighing with a sad smile on his face. It was then that a knock on the door caught his attention, an elf dropping off two trays of lunch for them. Bilbo accepted the food with a grateful nod. Examining one of the trays, he gathered a forkful of the different foods and unceremoniously fed it to Talion, who startled at the action.
"Mmph?" he asked around the forkful of food, taking the fork from Bilbo. After he finished chewing, he asked rather sheepishly, "I did it again, didn't I?"
"Yes, but I don't blame you. If I were in your position, knowing what you know and being who you are… How are you, Talion?" Talion shrugged.
"I… I could be better," he admitted. "The Council is still fresh in my mind," he added. Though it had been a little over a week since the Council of Elrond, it wasn't far from the forefront of anyone's mind. Bilbo hummed in acknowledgement.
"So too is it in mine. I think it's taken its toll on all of us, you more than most, it seems." He brought the other tray over to Talion, who looked at the food quizzically before Bilbo told him, "Eat. How long has it been since your last meal?" Talion thought about it.
"A few days?" he estimated. Bilbo huffed.
"And I suppose you haven't had any sleep in that time either?" Talion shook his head, and Bilbo sighed fondly. "Your body may no longer need such things, but I think they're good for you. You brood less when you're eating or sleeping." Talion raised an amused eyebrow at him.
"Brood?"
"Yes, brood. Your mind, much like mine, never stops working. There is always something to dwell on, something to understand or unravel. Eat, take a nap, and I will wake you when it's time for dinner." Talion had half a mind to ask Bilbo to instead restart the tale from his book he was working on before, but ultimately decided against it. The hobbit was always looking out for him in some way, and always with such sincerity and worry for his well being.
"Of course," he replied gratefully, digging into the food on his tray as Bilbo returned to his book, the scraping of a fork and the scratching of a quill filling the room.
XxX
" …which is what has led us to begin sailing to Valinor," Elrond finished. Talion sat, speechless, across from Elrond in Rivendell's library, where the elven leader could usually be found. He didn't know why, but Elrond, as busy as he was, had no problem answering Talion's questions or taking the time to fill him in on things. For most of the morning, after breakfast and a short walk outside, Elrond had told Talion of the many happening throughout Middle-Earth since Talion's last days outside of Mordor. He told of relations between elves, dwarves, and men, as well as changes in leadership, significant losses, and major events that had affected each group. He never really concerned himself with the world outside of Gondor too much before… Everything, but to hear about the hardships and wonders of distant lands…
"That… Is a lot," Talion replied as the information sunk in. Elrond smiled.
"You did ask," he told him. Talion smiled back.
"That I did." It was then that he frowned, Gandalf's words coming to mind. Elrond didn't miss the change in his expression.
"What is it that troubles you?"
"Gandalf," he replied simply. "He said I wouldn't have any problems obtaining information, that I could have all of my questions answered…" He let out a quiet laugh. "And yet I do not know what to ask first. I suppose…" As much as he disliked dwelling on the Council, there was one thing that refused to leave his mind. He pulled the New Ring into view with a sigh. "When I first laid eyes on the One Ring, the New Ring sprang to life. As I looked down upon it, I saw Sauron and Celebrimbor, locked in battle. I… I could feel the One Ring's pull, but the New Ring fought against it, breaking its hold over me. What if there is a way to break Sauron's influence over the Ring?"
"His influence… Similar to Celebrimbor's influence over the New Ring?"
"Yes, exactly! If we were to destroy, or even weaken, Sauron's presence within the One Ring, would that then stop the Ring's warping of the bearer's mind? Could it, perhaps, defeat Sauron once and for all without the need to travel to Mordor?" Elrond considered the thought, hoping he was understanding Talion correctly.
"Assuming you had a way to reach the part of Sauron's soul within the One Ring, would you be able to defeat him? And if you did, how would you know that his presence within the One Ring is completely gone? Is it even possible to banish his presence from the One Ring without destroying the Ring itself? I wish I had an answer for you, Talion, but you ask me something only Sauron himself might know." Talion sighed, but wasn't surprised.
"I suppose I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. I just… The Fellowship has brought many concerns to my mind, and I've had nothing but plenty of time to think about them. I mostly worry for Frodo, and Boromir."
"Because of the One Ring," Elrond finished.
"Yes. If there is any way to protect them from the Ring's influence, I would see it done." Talion watched the small changes in Elrond's expression as he considered the situation, the slight deepening in the furrow of his brow, the spark in his eye as an idea came to him. Though he had not known the elf lord long, Talion would miss his guidance once the Fellowship left Rivendell.
"Perhaps Celebrimbor would know. He crafted the Rings of Power, and though the One Ring was not his creation, I'm sure his insight would be much more valuable than mine." Talion just resisted the urge to put his face in his hands. Why didn't he realize that sooner? Elrond must have known what he was thinking, catching Talion's attention with a short laugh. "You have had much on your mind as of late, Talion." Talion shook his head.
"Still… I should have…" He was about to take his leave, preparing to stand when Gandalf's words returned to his mind once more. He blushed, and was met with a curious raised eyebrow from Elrond. "There's one more thing I'd like to ask you," he told him, hoping he wouldn't die of embarrassment as he tried to get the question out. Elrond simply gave him a sad smile as he answered it.
XxX
For the past few weeks, Talion had kept himself busy since his last conversation with Elrond. He'd gotten into the habit of always having something to do, whether that be training, spending time with those who trusted him, or simply wandering around Rivendell. Anything to take his mind off of the journey that loomed ahead was a good thing at the moment. Though he had at first done a fairly decent job of not running into the more distrusting members of the Fellowship, he knew there were bound to be moments when that couldn't be helped.
Any encounter with Gimli tended to include glares and half murmured insults and threats in Khuzdul. The dwarves in general seemed to despise his presence, but Gimli was the most vocal of the group on the matter. "I don't care who trusts him. The only thing I trust is that my axe will do its job when the time comes," Talion overheard one evening as he entered the Hall of Fire. One of Gimli's companions nudged him, pointing in Talion's direction with a concerned expression. Gimli merely sneered, and Talion met his glare with a look of indifference, taking a seat next to Eltariel, who followed Talion's gaze with a frown.
The times he and Boromir had found themselves in the same room had been… Strange to say the least. Talion couldn't quite understand Boromir's view towards him, even though his often cold words made it clear that he no longer trusted him. At times there were burning glances towards Isildur's Ring, and Talion could see the gears turning in his head, what about he had no idea. At others… There were contemplative, almost awed looks that made Talion re-evaluate just what Boromir might think of him.
Legolas was neither hostile towards him like Gimli was, nor cold like Boromir, and while he didn't fully trust Talion, he was civil towards him. The two had held conversations at meals, and had even done some training together. Talion appreciated the fact that Legolas had not been as quick to judge as the others had and told the elf as much after a particularly grueling sparring session. Legolas replied, "I do not find it right to condemn someone based on appearance alone. If those that I would entrust my life to consider you an ally, then so do I… And I hope, in time, that I won't have to change my mind."
In contrast to the other three, things between he and Aragorn were… Not quite strained, but not quite normal either. Since the reveal by Legolas at the Council, it finally dawned on Talion why Aragorn had acted so strangely around Isildur's Ring. He hadn't had much of a chance to speak with Aragorn before he left with Elladan and Elrohir on one of the scouting parties, their brief goodbye a bit awkward and uncomfortable. That day, the two had been enjoying one of the warmer afternoons of the quickly chilling season, back where their late night conversation took place. Aragorn had gone there upon his return a few hours prior, nodding to Talion in greeting. They were sitting up against opposite sides of a tall, thick tree, facing away from the city and towards the waterfalls. "I want to apologize, Talion." Aragorn told him. It was the first time either of them had spoken to the other all afternoon.
"What for?" Talion asked. He heard shuffling, turning to see Aragorn now sat facing him, an almost guilty expression on his face.
"Ever since the Council, things have felt… Different between us, and I know I am the cause." Talion thought about his next words carefully.
"Knowing your true name has not changed how I view you, Aragorn, but…"
" …But?"
"You were tempted that day, weren't you?" he finally asked, not knowing how else to pose the question. "That's why you recoiled from the Ring. It called to you." Aragorn averted his gaze.
"Yes," he admitted. A few moments passed before Talion, with a risky idea in mind, raised the hand that wore Isildur's Ring and held it out to Aragorn, who looked at it with a swirling mix of too many emotions to name. "What are you doing?"
"What if I said I was offering you Isildur's Ring, right here, right now? Are you going to take it?" It took Aragorn a moment to realize he had taken Talion's hand in his, examining the Ring up close as whispers of a foreign yet familiar voice filled his ears. The whispers urged him to take the Ring, that it was his birthright, that it was being gifted to him at this very moment, that the Ring could ensure that nothing stood in the Fellowship's way as they travelled to Mordor. He could even, for a brief moment, see an image of himself as King of Gondor, the Ring sat comfortably on his finger, a symbol of power and pride. He felt a flare of ravenous desire, of anger, even, that the Ring wasn't in his possession, that it had been stolen from him. Despite all of that…
He gently pushed Talion's hand away, confident in his decision, but still reeling from what he'd just experienced. "No," Aragorn answered firmly, meeting Talion's gaze again. He could hear the empty promises and false dreams being whispered to him, but knew he neither wanted nor needed anything the Ring had to offer. Talion smiled knowingly, satisfied, confusing Aragorn further. "Why did you do that?"
"Because I knew you wouldn't take it, and I wanted you to know that as well. I didn't want us to leave here with the thought of, 'What if I tried to take it?' in the back of your mind."
"I…" He couldn't deny the weight lifted from his shoulders after he had said no. "I suppose that's one way to accomplish that… You have very unorthodox methods, my friend, but I am glad. You approach things in ways none of us could ever think of."
"I've… Had to get creative at times," Talion replied with a small smile that Aragorn couldn't help but return.
"I do not doubt that." It was then that A comfortable silence fell between the two again, and they resumed their original positions against opposite sides of the nearby tree, collecting their thoughts. It wouldn't be until the sun showed signs of setting that Aragorn broke the silence again. "What made you change back this time?" he asked suddenly. When he didn't get a response, he explained, "Your features were once again free from darkness after the Council. I never got a chance to ask." Talion didn't answer immediately, replaying the event from weeks prior.
"Eltariel," he responded. "She… She's not the person I thought she was." Talion didn't need to see Aragorn's face to know his thoughts on her. He wasn't sure what Aragorn had seen in Eltariel's eyes upon their first meeting, but it had made him wary of her.
"And this is a good thing?" he asked slowly, not quite following.
"She showed me that there is more to her than what she lets others see. She… Has faith in me, when I don't even have much faith in myself."
"I… Do not wish to speak ill of your friend, Talion, but I don't trust her." And was that what they were now? Friends? There was noticeably less tension between the two since Eltariel's confession; that much was true, and they had gotten along fairly well since their time in Rivendell. How long had it been, since he'd had a true friend? Before Mordor, perhaps?
"I don't blame you. She isn't the easiest person to get along with, and there have been times when she has seemed to me more of an enemy than an ally—
"It's not that," Aragorn told him, trying to figure out how to voice his thoughts. "She hides her true self behind an image of what others have wanted her to be to appear unbreakable, to hide what she sees as weaknesses. Eltariel has pretended to be someone she is not for so long that she has forgotten who she is. I do not trust her because she doesn't even trust herself… And it seems that her armor only cracks around you." Talion didn't know what to say to that. He had always thought Eltariel was the way she was, that recent events had been a result of their positively changing relationship…
"So are you saying I shouldn't trust her?" he asked after a few minutes of silent thought. Aragorn sighed, his next statement remaining in the back of Talion's mind for some time afterwards.
"No. I'm saying that you may be the only person who can save her from herself."
XxX
Two months had passed since the Council of Elrond had taken place, and it was finally time for the Fellowship to depart from Rivendell. Many people gathered to see them off, some from the doors of their homes, and others near the gates of the city. It was easy to feel the sadness and uncertainty in the air, accompanied by somber and troubled expressions. The Fellowship stood together just in front of the gates and across from Elrond, who began to address the crowd.
"The Ring-bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom. And you who travel with him. No oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell, and hold to your purpose… May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you." He gestured respectfully towards the group, bowing his head and briefly extending the arm that held a hand over his heart. Legolas, Aragor, Eltariel, and Talion returned the gesture, a confused Boromir looking between them before Gandalf spoke.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," he told Frodo, who took one more, perhaps his last, look at Rivendell before turning and making his way towards the gate. Talion couldn't help but do the same as the rest of the Fellowship went to follow, meeting Elrond's concerned, yet hopeful gaze with a nod. He watched the interaction between Arwen and Aragorn, feeling his heart ache at their separation, having been (accidentally) witness to the most beautiful act of love he'd ever seen not too long ago. He could only pull his gaze away when he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to see Eltariel waiting for him, expression conflicted yet understanding. They followed Aragorn out of the city, catching up to the rest of the Fellowship, each step bringing them closer to both their goal and certain peril.
Closing A/N: If any lore experts would like to answer Talion's question to Elrond, please do, because I'm just as unsure as he is and I'm the one who threw the idea out there! Ahem. Anyway… I have a feeling that once band camp starts, I won't really have much time to write, and your first semester of college isn't something you want to screw up either. I will try to make time to write, but I can't promise updates won't take several months.