Author's Note: Hello again! I just wanted to mention another minor detail that you might notice later on-this story not only follows what happened in the movie, but also what happened in the books-including our own genius creativity *grins*. Thanks! And don't forget to review! You would make me one happy writer and Jen one happy editor if you kindly clicked on the little review button and left an encouraging response to let us know who's reading our stuff!


It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.
Gentlemen may cry," Peace! Peace!"
But there is no peace.
The war is actually begun!
~ Patrick Henry



Chapter 7

Liana threw her dagger with malice force at the nearest Orc and continued fighting, not waiting to see him fall-his scream of pain told her enough. The combat was so close in the area they were fighting in that Liana found herself delivering kicks and using her fists as well as a blade. It didn't bother her, though. She relished it-usually, fighting was never at the top of her list of things she loved, but this time, nothing could have been sweeter than seeing each Orc fall, one by one, at the hand of a faerie. It was almost a europhic feeling, ridding Middle Earth of the hellish creatures that plagued the free lands. A sense of accomplishment, even. And it was in the faces of every faerie present.

Diana was practically grinning as she brought down more of them. Despite the few cuts she received from being slightly careless in the beginning, she was relatively unharmed and doing a damn fine job at her swordplay, if she said so herself. She met Nevada's gaze a couple feet away, who laughed and shook her head at the look on the younger one's face, almost as if it were a game.

Nevada remembered being that young, looking forward to the chance to fight for her country. She may not feel the same way now, since there was no country to go back to, but she still got a rush from fighting that would probably never be quenched. Not until the very last Orc roaming Middle Earth was killed.

The fight started to turn in their favor as more Orcs fell. Anyone who might have witnessed the slaughter would have been astonished to see five faeries, females no less, take down at least two dozen Orcs, but these were no ordinary females. They were warriors, taught to fight at early ages to defend their homelands, which lay so close to Mordor's borders. It was clear that their skills could not be matched.

They made quick work of the remaining Orcs, with Alexia taking down the very last one. For a minute or so, nothing could be heard but the sound of their heavy breathing and the occasional grunt from one of the horses.

" Is everyone alright?" Liana gave each faerie a lookover for wounds as they nodded, then moved to go retrieve her daggers. She frowned as she pulled them out of the beastly creatures that tainted the coming sunrise with their presence in the growing light." Should we leave them on the path?"

" Yeah," Nevada nodded, jerking her sword out of another Orc and wiping it off on the grass. She waited for Alexia's nod before continuing," It'd be pointless to drag them into the foilage." Liana agreed and walked back to her horse, helping Peony to hers in the process. Fighting so soon after her injury was not sitting well, and Peony grimaced as she climbed onto her horse.

When everyone had mounted, they paused to glance back at the carnage laying in the road. Orcs were littered everywhere, darkening the path with their blood. The growing light seemed to make them even more hideous, and the girls turned away to continue up the path.

" The elves can consider it a welcome gift, personally delivered by us," Nevada commented, a wise ass smile on her face. The others laughed in agreement.

" Specially gift wrapped for Lord Elrond," Diana giggled.

" I'm sure he'd appreciate that," Alexia drawled out." We're going to interrupt his meeting, and to top that, we left a great big pile of Orc corpses right in the pathway to his kingdom."

" Too bad we didn't have any wrapping paper," Liana added thoughtfully, sending them into fits of laughter again." A nice big bow would have done the job, too."

They ended their joking when they reached the top of a large hill, stopping at its peak and staring out with wonder. A pink glow seemed to shower the lands below them in the colors of the rising sun, its beauty taking their breath away.

" Rivendell," Diana smiled. The sprawling forests of the haven surrounded them, and in the near distance stood their destination; the majestic city where the meeting was to be held. They urged their horses forward down the hill, ever mindful of where they were, including the fact that they probably would not be welcome.

" We have to be quiet," Alexia said in a voice just above a whisper." We cannot alert any elves of our presence."

" Why not?" Peony frowned." I thought we wanted to get their attention."

Liana shook her head." If we alert the attention of any guards, they will more than likely detain us and not allow us passage to the council. Stealthiness is our goal for now."

" We still have to make our way through the haven, however," Nevada explained, a delicious plan forming in her mind." But I'm sure we can pull that off with no trouble. If our timing is right, we should reach the city right when the council meeting will start."

" Should we hide our faces, then?" Diana asked.

Liana paused to glance at her, noting the glare from the sun her bright lavender hair gave off." Yes, that would probably be for the best." The pulled the hoods of their cloaks over their heads, adjusting them so no one from the side could see their faces." We can get away with passing as elves with our hoods up. They shouldn't question it."

Alexia nodded." Shall we quicken our pace?"

" To a trot," Nevada agreed." Nothing too fast."

" Right." Liana took a deep breath, glad they had made it this far and hoping their travel wouldn't be in vain." Let's go, ladies."


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Frodo had never felt more refreshed. He woke up quite early to catch the glorious sunrise as it bathed the whole of Rivendell in its beautiful light, which brightened his mood even more. Sam accompanied him out of their room to walk with him among the terraces, both of them quietly admiring their surroundings and stopping occasionally to sniff a flower or stare out into the mountains.

As they turned a corner, Frodo blinked in surprise to see Gandalf waiting for them. He gave Frodo a smile before saying," Good morning, Frodo! Ready for the council meeting?"

" Oh, yes," Frodo nodded, Gandalf's enthusiasm catching." I'm ready for anything. But I'd like to do some more exploring later. These hillsides are beautiful."

" Maybe later, if time permits it," Gandalf agreed. He reached out and put a hand on Frodo's shoulder, escorting him towards the meeting area. When Sam tried to follow, the wizard turned slightly and shook his head." No, Sam, this council is only for Frodo to attend. You can wait here until it is over."

Frodo cast a sympathetic glance at the crestfallen look on Sam's face before being taken away by Gandalf. Sam stood there for a minute, irritated that he wasn't allowed to accompany Mr. Frodo to the meeting.' Anything could happen to him there,' Sam thought, working himself into a fine state of worry.' I should be there to see that he's alright-at least to hear what they're goin' to do about that blasted ring.'

Now, Sam was never one to spy on anyone, but when it concerned Mr. Frodo, he was willing to take the risk. Mustering up his courage, Samwise Gamgee marched in the direction of the meeting, determination stamped on his face.

And promptly ran into someone as he turned a corner. Sam let out a shout as he fell backwards, arms windmilling outward to avoid what would be a nasty fall. Suddenly, an arm reached out and steadied him back on his feet, dusting off his shirt in the process.

" Quite the clumsy one, aren't we, Master Gamgee?"

Sam turned a redface up to meet Strider's smiling one." I was just, um...just-"

" Let him alone," a clear, laughing voice came up." After all, I believe you ran into him, Estel."

" Yes, I do owe you an apology, Sam," Aragorn bowed, unable to keep the humor out of his voice.

" Oh, don't worry about that, just wasn't watchin' where I was goin'..." Sam flustered, then paused, casting a curious gaze up at the man." Estel? How many names do you *have*, Strider?"

Aragorn laughed." Many. Estel is my elven name."

" Yes, and one he doesn't seem to deserve half the time," came the light male voice again." For it means 'hope', and this one does not seem to offer that much."

The man could hardly keep his grin back." Legolas, I would like you to meet Samwise Gamgee, one of Frodo's companions." Sam's eyes widened at the sight of the ethereal Elf standing in front of him, smiling down at him with faint amusement.

" Sam, this is Legolas, son of Thranduil from the Mirkwood Realm." Sam had seen Lord Elrond before, and many other dark-haired elves, but Legolas's hair was a fair blonde, long and bright enough that it seemed to glow, and the hobbit could not help but feel that he was being studied through the piercing, but gentle blue gaze of the Elf.

" P-pleasure to meet you, sir. Elf, sir," Sam stumbled over his words, afraid to look up at the wondrous creature for very long.

" The pleasure is mine," Legolas said lightly, resisting the urge to chuckle at the awed and embarassed look on the young hobbit's face." Tell me," he continued, sparing Aragorn an amused glance," where were you off to in such a hurry?"

If it was possible for the hobbit to get any redder in the face, he did." Well, I was just...I mean...I'm sorry I ran into..."

" It's alright, Sam," Aragorn chuckled, not bothering to hide his grin as the Elf did. He clapped Sam on the back, nearly causing him to fall again, and added," There was no harm done. Now, run along-Legolas and I have an important meeting to attend to."

Sam watched as they walked off, the Elf Legolas giving him a lighthearted smile before he went with Strider towards the council. A strange pair they made-their appearances were as different as night and day, but the warrior Elf seemed nice enough. Sam shook himself of his straying thoughts long enough to remember what he had intended to do in the first place. Before long, the hobbit was off again, racing as quickly down the pathways as his short legs would carry him to his destination.


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" Move out of the way!"

" Would you stop pushing?"

" I'll stop pushing when you let go of my cloak!"

" If you don't get your foot off of mine I'll cut it off."

" Oh, sorry."

The faeries pushed and shoved until they had a decent view, and coverage, of the council a couple of yards away. They had only a few mishaps with some of the guards along the way there, but other than that they arrived safely and with less suspicion as possible. They had hid their horses in the foilage of the nearby woods, and were now hiding behind a thicket of shrubs thirty or so feet away from the council. Their sensitive ears could pick up every sound coming from that area as the representatives to the meeting sat down in their places.

" Good grief, there's dwarves in there," Diana said incredously, closely inspecting the little creatures-one of them had the whitest hair, and the one next to him, with the fiercest expression on his face, had hair as red as the dawn. They were such opposites to the fair-haired elves, who took their seats closest to the girls' hiding spot.

Nevada muttered something unintelligible, but the word "filthy bastards" and a few other degrading remarks could be made out.

" Well said," Alexia chuckled, leaning forward slightly to get a better view." Look, there's Lord Elrond," she whispered, pointing towards the regal, tall Elf standing in the middle of them all. Despite any differences the races had, she had to admit that the Elf commanded a respect only great leaders deserved, which he did wholeheartedly.

" I have never had anything against him until now," Nevada said darkly, glaring daggers at the elflord. She had him on her black list ever since she heard of this secret council. She was about to continue speaking, but a certain someone stepped up to the council area that promptly shut her up.

" Valar," Liana breathed, a glowing smile breaking out on her face." Is that who I think it is?"

Nevada's blooming grin matched hers." It couldn't be anyone else." She uttered a low, delighted laugh." Gandalf!" Her eyes lost their anger and both girls gazed with affection at the old man who made his way to a seat close to the edge of the council. He had removed his pointed hat from his gray head, and was observing the respentatives as everyone took their seats.

" Sefid afsungar!" Peony smiled." I had no idea Gandalf would be attending!"

" Neither did we," Nevada replied. She opened her mouth to speak, but Elrond beat her to it, his powerful voice ringing through the air.

" Strangers from distant lands, friends of old," he started grandly," You have been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it."

" Tell us something we don't know," Diana whispered ominously.

" You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom." He paused, and the faeries hardly breathed when he turned in their direction to gaze at a small someone sitting in a chair." Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

Every faerie gasped in unison at the admission, and a hush fell over the entire council." The one Ring," Alexia echoed, sitting back on her heels in surprise. This day was getting stranger by the moment, and she couldn't help but shudder at the cold fingers touching her heart-to have that evil thing so close...

A little creature stood up from his chair at that moment, fingering something in his hand and walking hesitantly forward to the center of the council.

" That little guy has the Ring?" Nevada demanded quietly, astounded.

The moment she said it, Liana's vision from before hit her full force. She rocked back and caught herself before stumbling, images of a curly haired being with a bright smile and blue eyes flooding her thoughts, and here she was, staring at the very same person. Only there was no smile on this one's face-only a look of fear and uncertainty. Her sharp vision caught the color of his eyes-a startling blue- and she had no doubt that he was the one she had seen the week before. Her beacon of hope carried the One Ring...?

" Shit."

Peony turned in concern upon hearing Liana mutter in disbelief." Princess?"

" Sorry," she replied, still feeling like she'd been hit in the head unawares." Let's see what's going to happen now."

The hobbit placed the Ring carefully on the pillar in the middle of the council, then retreated from it, almost reluctantly. His hesitancy was not lost on the faeries, who watched him suspiciously as he plopped back in his chair. When the Ring was in plain sight of all, murmurs of disbelief could be heard from various members of the council, and one could be heard the loudest.

" The doom of man."

No one could deny the desirable pull the Ring placed upon those who looked upon it, and even though the faeries were farther away, they could not help but stare at the small golden band that lay, seemingly harmless, upon the pillar. But only for a moment-the Fae were known for their resilience against evil to a certain extent. They did not succumb as easily as Men, and were said to have a pure light in their souls that could not be marred in any way. They kept this in mind as they looked upon the source of all evil on Middle Earth.

" Who's that guy?" Peony nudged Liana, and nodded toward the man standing up on the far side of the council. He wore a long forest green tunic, stained brown at the bottom from much travel, and his pale brown hair shined dully in the sunlight. He looked weary, but held himself in a way that suggested some form of nobility.

She glanced at him briefly, than shrugged." I do not know, but his clothing tells me he is from Gondor," Liana replied quietly.

" In a dream," the man's voice carried out," I saw the eastern sky grow dark." The faeries shifted uneasily at his observation, knowing their home lie in the east." But in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying," he paused, stepping closer to the Ring,"' The doom is near at hand.' Isildur's bain is found."

" What is he doing?" Nevada hissed.

The man stopped, then reached closer, holding out his hand as if to grab the Ring." Isildur's bain..." He loomed closer still, nearly touching the Ring, before Lord Elrond jumped out of his seat." Boromir-!"

" Ash Nazg durbatuluk! Ash Nazg gimbatul! Ash Nazg thrakatuluk ash Burzum-ishi krimpatul!"

The faeries stifled their cries and covered their ears in pain upon hearing the Black Speech that Gandalf the Grey had spoken in, their reaction not unlike the elves. A shadow had cast itself upon the very air and light of the area as he uttered the terrible words, and all the wildlife in the area ceased their whistles and chatter to run from the sound. Another voice, more ominous and dark then they could fathom, joined the wizard's, and the girls felt as if a darkness had touched their souls that made them want to flee, as well.

The moment he stopped the horrifying chant, the air lifted once again, and blessed light filtered through. Lord Elrond took his hand away from his head and glared at the old Wizard in the silence.

" Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris," he said, almost accusingly.

" What did he say?" Peony asked in a small voice, afraid to talk in anything above a whisper.

Nevada exchanged a dark look with Liana, but they chose to stay quiet." If you wish to know, ask him yourself," Liana said softly.

" I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond." Gandalf's voice was strained, as if it pained him, as well, to speak in the Black." For the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!" He pierced Boromir, who still stood in disbelief, with an intense gaze." My point is that the Ring is altogether evil!"

Boromir sat back down, shaking his head." It is a gift...A gift to the foes of Mordor!"

" What is with this guy?!" Nevada asked, shaking her head in turn.

He stood back up, pacing around the council." Why not use this Ring?"

" Um...Because it's evil?" Diana suggested, causing the others to crack a smile or two.

" Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay, by the blood of our people!" he cried righteously." Or your lands kept safe!"

" And what are we, chopped liver?!" Nevada practically squeaked." That's it-we've gotta go up there. What do you say we go through the elves?"

" Yeah, that'd be funny," Liana smirked, vaguely entertaining the idea." But it's too rash-Nevada?" She turned and found the warrior already gone, creeping past the bushes and up the hill." Nevada!" she hissed, waving for her to come back." What in hell is she doing?"

Peony was about to respond back, but a noise from their left stopped her. She looked up and into the angry face of an Elf." Princess?" she whispered shakily.

Liana shook her head in frustration, watching the council for any signs of Nevada." Not now, Peony."

" But Princess..."

Liana went to retort back to the girl, but suddenly stopped when a shoe came into her view-right next to her hand. Not a moment later, the creak of many bows being drawn back could be heard.' Why me?' Liana asked the heavens, before craning her neck to glance at the Guard past the arrow in her face.

" We come in peace?" Liana offered, giving a hopeful smile.








Sefid afsungar - Grey Wizard

* The Fae language is very close to the Persian language, which I thought would be a beautiful and very unique language for the Faeries to speak, and it suits them well. By the way-the only characters Jen and I own (the two masterminds behind A True Fellowship) are Nevada, Liana, Diana, Peony, Alexia, and any other minor characters not originally in Lord of The Rings. Sadly, we don't own anything else.