Chapter 7
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you've been summoned here to answer to the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it." Elrond started, trying to ignore Elizabeth's nervous fidgeting. "You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo looked around nervously, but stood and laid the ring on the stone table in the center of the room. As he set it down, Elizabeth could hear its voice calling to the others, tempting them slowly. She frowned and tugged at Gandalf's sleeve.
"What is it, Elizabeth?" he asked.
"That ring." Elizabeth whispered. "It's talking to me."
"As it does to those it wants to claim for its own. Just ignore the voices and concentrate on Lord Elrond." Gandalf whispered back. His mind stayed on the fact that the ring wanted to use Elizabeth. What good would that do for the ring?
"Ok."
The man that had dropped the special sword stood.
"In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark but in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: 'your doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found.'" The man said, walking closer and closer to the ring.
"He's gonna try and take it, Gandalf." Elizabeth whispered. She knew it. She just knew that the red haired man was going to take it. Without knowing it, Elizabeth's breathing began to pick up speed and the voices from the ring began to get louder.
"Stay silent, Elizabeth." Gandalf ordered gently.
As the man started to reach for the ring, Lord Elrond stood to his feet and yelled out his name.
"Boromir!" Elrond shouted, but it was too late. Gandalf had begun his magic.
"Ash Nazg Durbatuluk, Ash, Nazg Gimbatul, Ash Nazg Thrakuluk, Agh Burzumishi Krimpatul! (One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all, And in the darkness bind them!)" Gandalf chanted.
The elves in the room seemed to suddenly get headaches and everyone else was just plain scared. Elizabeth began to cry, which caused Elrond to take a few steps to her chair and cover her ears. He rubbed her back soothingly until Gandalf's magic had ceased.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris." Elrond said, removing his hands from Elizabeth's ears. "Or in the presence of a child."
Elizabeth sniffled a bit and wiped her eyes. She didn't resent Gandalf for doing what he did. She knew he had to do it for Boromir's sake.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the west!" Gandalf said angrily. "The Ring is altogether evil."
Boromir shook his head and Elizabeth wanted to slap it and make him sit down on a time out.
"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." He spoke. "Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."
"You cannot wield it. None of us can." Strider spoke up. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asked rudely.
"This is no mere Ranger." An elf said suddenly, standing to his feet. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir turned slowly to face Strider, or was it now Aragorn. Elizabeth was very confused. How could Strider let this blonde elf go around calling him names that were not his own?
"Aragorn." Boromir repeated. "This is Isildur's Heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." The same elf spoke up again.
"Havo dad, Legolas.(Sit down, Legolas.)" Aragorn commanded.
Boromir turned to Legolas and Elizabeth watched Strider, no, Aragorn with a very confused look.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." He said rudely.
"Yes it does." Elizabeth suddenly piped up, a bit angry that Boromir had said that. Whether his name was Strider or Aragorn, he obviously was the heir to Gondor and this meanie shouldn't be stopping him from that.
"Elizabeth," Frodo whispered in a warning tone.
"Oh you shush." Elizabeth said in a parent-like tone. "Gonador or whatever you call it—"
"Gondor." Boromir corrected, annoyed at the eight year old.
"Thank you, Gondor does need a king. I saw so last night in my dream." Elizabeth said.
"What did you see, child?" Elrond asked, suddenly becoming interested.
"A tree, that was practically dead and an uglywhite castle that needed a bath." Elizabeth answered.
Many of the people sitting in the circle had to try to keep themselves from laughing. But Boromir practically launched himself at her.
"GONDOR IS NOT UGLY, IT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU BELIEVE!" he shouted, held back by some of his own men.
Elizabeth just sat there, frowning at Boromir. "You think you could be the only one to use it, don't you?"
'Little bitch.' He thought to himself.
Elizabeth gasped. How had she heard his evil, dirty thoughts?
"You bad man. How dare you call me that bad name! Shame on you!" she said, walking over to Boromir and slapping him across the cheek.
"Elizabeth!" Elrond scolded.
"What?! He called me a bitch!" Elizabeth couldn't see why they were so surprised at her actions. After all, in the movies when a guy calls a girl that name, she slaps him too, doesn't she?
Many people gasped when Elizabeth said the word that was not commonly heard among civil conversation.
"In that case, I suppose punishment is in order." Frodo said softly, smiling.
"I did not hear him call you that name." Elrond said slowly.
"That's cause he said so in his head." Elizabeth growled.
Elrond frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Duh. I heard him say it in his head." Elizabeth said.
Elrond frowned even more.
"I suppose you have all heard by now about the foreseeing of a child that will help destroy Sauron and all his evil." Elrond started, addressing the council more than anyone else. "She will undoubtedly follow Gandalf as far as Lothlorien and eventually become the Helper. The one meant to aid the bearer of the Ring. This is that child."
Elizabeth frowned up at the elf lord and put her hands on her hips.
"I will?" she asked. "I didn't know that. How did you know that?"
"I, along with a few others have foreseen it. And although I disagree entirely with this choice, it is yours to make." Elrond said.
"When the time comes." Gandalf interrupted sternly. "Take your seat, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth glanced over at Gandalf, than turned her suspicious gaze back to Elrond. She looked him in the eye once, than turned on her heels and walked back to her seat.
"Now," Elrond said. "Where were we?"
"Giving the ring to Gondor." Boromir said.
"No. Next subject." Elrond answered.
"Aragorn was right. We cannot use it." Gandalf reminded.
"Ah yes. That's where we were. Thank you, Gandalf." Elrond thanked the wizard, smiling. He then returned to his serious mood. "You have but one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
Elizabeth glanced at Boromir and smirked. Boromir was very disappointed indeed and when he noticed Elizabeth smirking at him, he simply glared at the child. Elizabeth glared daggers back at Boromir. If he went on the quest, she'd exorcise him. Not that she knew how to exorcise people; it was just an expression that her cousin,Bart used.
There was a bit of an awkward silence until a dwarf suddenly spoke up. Elizabeth vaguely wondered if dwarves were related to Santa Claus. Or perhaps he just came here for his vacation.
"What are we waiting for?" he asked. He stood to his feet, clutched his axe and walked right towards the ring, ready to attack it. Everyone in the council shifted uncomfortably and watched. The dwarf swung his axe and hit the ring, but instead of the ring breaking, the axe broke, sending the dwarf backwards.
But the dwarf's attack on the ring did more damage. It also sent waves of pain through Frodo's head, causing him to feel a headache of some sort. Gandalf glanced at Frodo and frowned, then glanced at Elizabeth to see her rubbing her head. He frowned even more, if possible. Gandalf understood that Frodo would be affected because he'd carried the ring around his neck from the Shire to Rivendell, but why was Elizabeth affected as well?
Seeing Gandalf's frown, Elrond followed the wizard's gaze to the small girl who was furiously massaging her temples. Elrond turned back to the dwarf, slightly annoyed that he had tried to attack the ring.
"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." Elrond said, looking around. "It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
An awkward silence followed Elrond's ghostly words.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor." Of course, it was Boromir. "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 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly."
Suddenly, Legolas took a stand, angrily and Elizabeth immediately put it on her to do list to become friends with him.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed." Legolas said, addressing the council.
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Gimli shouted.
Boromir took his chance to prove his point even more.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir asked.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli shouted, sending all members of the council, save Frodo, Elizabeth and Elrond into an argument. "Never trust an elf!"
Gandalf's word, of course, was heard louder than anyone else's.
"Do you not understand? While you bicker among yourselves, Sauron's power grows! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!" Gandalf yelled.
Elizabeth watched him for a moment, than, hearing the same voice she'd heard earlier, she turned to look at the ring. She and Frodo were both staring at the ring, beginning to breathe heavier and faster.
At the same moment, Elizabeth and Frodo stood up and at the same time, they said, "I will take it!"
Then, hearing each other say the same phrase, they glanced at each other uneasily and both repeated the phrase again, except, and agreeing with one another.
"I will take the ring to Mordor." Elizabeth and Frodo said at the same time.
The council immediately quieted down and stared at the hobbit and the small girl. Frodo shook his head at Elizabeth and mouthed the word 'no'.
"I will take the ring to Mordor." Frodo continued for the both of them. "but I do not know the way."
"I will help you as much as I can." Elizabeth insisted. "And no one can stop me."
Elizabeth suddenly felt very grown up as she heard Gandalf's next words.
"I shall help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins and Elizabeth, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf announced.
Elizabeth tilted her head backwards and smiled up at Gandalf whom smiled down at her, laying a hand on her shoulder. Elizabeth returned her head to a normal position and watched as Aragorn walk towards she and Frodo. She cocked her head to one side as he kneeled down in front of the two of them.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." Aragorn vowed.
Gandalf looked at Elrond and winked, telling him 'See told ya so.' Elrond pretended to ignore the wizard and just watched Elizabeth silently.
"And you have my bow." Legolas added, smiling.
Surprisingly, Gimli added himself to the group, causing Frodo to raise one eyebrow and Legolas' smile to fade quickly. And then, of all the people to come forward, Boromir added his two cents.
"You carry the fate of us all, little ones. If this is indeed the will of the council, than Gondor will see it done." Boromir said.
"Yeah right." Elizabeth muttered under her breath so that only Frodo would hear.
"Hey!" a voice shouted, startling everyone. It was Sam, surprisingly.
"Mister Frodo and Miss Elizabeth aren't goin' anywhere without me." Sam announced.
"No, indeed it is hardly possible to separate you even when he and Elizabeth are summoned to a secret council and you are not." Elrond said, agreeing with Sam, although it didn't sound like it.
Elizabeth giggled out loud and smiled up at Elrond from where she stood. In turn, Elrond smiled back at her.
Two heads suddenly peeked out from behind two pillars. Elizabeth's eyes went wide with joy and she giggled even more.
"Wait! We're coming too!" It was Merry and Pippin.
Elrond turned and glared at the two hobbits as they ran into the room and joined the group.
"You'll have to send us home, tied up in a sack to stop us." Merry added.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing." Pippin said stupidly.
Elizabeth raised only one of her eyebrows and turned to look at Frodo, who was also portraying a very odd look.
"Well that rules you out, Pip." Merry said, voicing everyone's thoughts.
Elrond looked at all the people that had volunteered for the quest.
"Ten companions." He said. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great!" Pippin said. "Where are we going?"
((What an ender. 'Great, where are we going?' Sheesh, I wish I had a next door neighbor like that. Heck, I wish all the people in Lord of the Rings were my next door neighbors. Only the good guys, though. Grima counts as a good guy in my book because my theory is, that Saruman brain washed him into being his servant. Stupid old meanie wizard. anywho, TTYL!))