Disclaimer: Please see chapter 4.
A/N: My goal before I leave for Greece is to finish this fanfic. Will I do it? Who knows? Anyway, please enjoy this next chapter and forgive all grammar errors. I haven't learned yet how to hook this computer up to the printer so I can't give a copy to my beta reader. Please read, enjoy, and, most importantly, review!
Chapter 5: The Door the Valar Forgot To Close
Gandalf squirmed in his seat, wishing the council would proceed quickly. Upon arriving two days ago in Rivendell, he had immediately gone to Elrond and explained what he believed had happened to the One Ring. Elrond had been stunned, though Gandalf couldn't tell if it was because he believed him or if Elrond was just shocked that Gandalf would dare mention such a possibility. After all, the portals had all been closed up many years ago according to the ancient books in Saruman's library.
"Are you sure this is what has happened?" Elrond had questioned. "All the ancient books state that the portals were closed after Morgoth rebelled against the Valar. Not one of them remained open. How can you be sure this is what you saw, Gandalf?"
"It looked like an exact replica from one of Saruman's books. It also acted like one: I put the tip of my staff into it which disappeared but did not reappear on the other side of the trees. It only reappeared once I pulled it out. I did this quite a few times so I'm sure I wasn't just seeing things." Elrond had sighed and sat down in the nearest chair.
"Then what are we to do?"
"I know you called some of the leaders of the free peoples of Middle Earth together a few weeks ago. Once they are all here, we must have a council. Together we will decide what is to be done."
And so that is what had happened. Now two days later, here Gandalf sat listening to Elrond introduce everyone. Personally, Gandalf would have preferred to skip this formality. They did have very pressing matters to discuss. He scanned the crowd of people. There was Legolas of Mirkwood, here in his father's place. And Gimli, son of Gloin was there as well. How wonderful to see the dwarf again. Frodo and Sam were also present since the ring had been in Frodo's belongings before disappearing through the portal. Gandalf then made a startling discovery. Saruman was not there. Odd. Gandalf thought. He should be here. Unfortunately, Gandalf did not get to ponder about his superior's absence for Elrond was calling for him to speak.
"Tell us what you have discovered, Gandalf." Elrond said, sitting down. The council leaned forward to here what the wizard had to say.
"I have made a discovery, as Lord Elrond has said." Gandalf stood slowly. He always spoke best when he was standing and pacing. "When I was in the Shire a little over three weeks ago, I found that the ring Frodo Baggins owned had disappeared. I've come to the conclusion that this ring was in fact the One Ring of Sauron." Everyone gasped.
"The One Ring?" A dwarf dressed in slightly run down mail questioned. "How? It was lost over two thousand years ago. Destroyed, if you ask me."
"No, Gimli, it was not destroyed. The Ring was merely lost. And now it has been found. Unfortunately, it has again disappeared."
"You lost it?" A voice cried.
"No!" Gandalf nearly shouted. "I did not loose it. I would never have lost such a valuable and powerful object. I know where it is. But, first, a little history lesson." Some one groaned. Gandalf ignored him. "During the time of the creation of the world, the Valar not only made Middle Earth, but many other different worlds. Their songs carried through to these dimensions and whole new worlds were made separate from our own. Now, the Valar wanted to travel to these places. So they created portals to these other realms. At any time they wished, they or someone else could go through a portal and go visit these worlds. But, alas, Morgoth turned evil and started a war against the Valar. In an effort to keep his evil from spreading to the other worlds, the Valar closed the portals. No more could they or anyone else jump from world to world. Each world was now a separate entity of its own."
"What has this got to do with the One Ring?" A tall Gondorian man asked. "I came here to find the answer to the riddle that has been haunting me in my dreams. You have now answered it: for the answer is the One Ring. But, where is it? And what do these portal things have to do with it?"
"The One Ring has fallen into one of these portals." Gandalf's voice carried loud and strong over the silence that followed his announcement of the location of the One Ring. "Not all the portals were destroyed. One remains and it seems to be jumping from place to place. Three weeks ago it was in Bag End. Two days ago, it was stretched between two trees on the edge of Rivendell. I suggest we send someone into the portal to retrieve the Ring."
"But, Gandalf." Elrond asked. "Is in it dangerous to send someone in there? None of us knows where the portal will lead to and there could be dangerous things roaming through those worlds."
"It is actually quite safe. The Valar made no worlds where bad things roam. All the worlds are as beautiful and pure as Middle Earth was before Morgoth. Now then, who will volunteer to go fetch the Ring?"
"I will." A tall, stately elf stood. His hair fell to about the middle of his back and was a bright blonde. His eyes seemed the meet everyone's gaze at once. "I will go fetch back the Ring. I am not afraid of this portal or where it leads."
"You fetch the Ring?" Gimli shouted, standing up. "I will never let an elf go get this Ring. It is of far too much importance."
Then came a very long argument. None of the dwarves believed an elf should go get the Ring. And none of the elves believed a dwarf should fetch it. Gandalf and Elrond tried to stop this petty battle, but without success. Their shouts just added to the noise and confusion. Soon, the men were involved as well, arguing that since the Ring belonged by right to Isildur, they should go get it. One small, tiny voice stopped the argument short.
"I will fetch the Ring." Gandalf turned slowly to see where Frodo stood. "I will go through the portal to find the Ring." Gandalf walked over and put his hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"This is a very brave thing you volunteer to do, young hobbit." Elrond said. "But, the task you shall have. You will not go alone, however. Since this threat belongs to all the peoples of Middle Earth, all the peoples will accompany you. For the dwarves I choose Gimli, son of Gloin." Gimli sent a smug look toward the elves. "For the elves, I choose Legolas of Mirkwood." Here Gimli's face fell and Legolas smiled. "For the men, I choose Strider, a ranger from the north. Each of you has a choice, though, whether or not you will accompany Frodo." All leaned forward to hear whether or not they chose to go.
"By either sword or life, I will protect you and go with you. You have my sword." Strider said, kneeling in front of Frodo and taking his hand.
"And you have my axe." Gimli responded, stepping forward.
"You have also my bow." Legolas joined Gimli and Strider by Frodo. The four stood there, solemn looks on their faces.
"Good." Elrond said. "Now come. We have much to prepare for. The portal may move at any time so you will need to leave as soon as possible. Let us go make all the arrangements. The council is now over. All who wish may return home or stay here until the seekers of the Ring have returned." With that, he, Gandalf, Frodo, Strider, Gimli, and Legolas left the council room. The rest of the people soon left to their separate rooms, leaving only one small hobbit, who felt very out of place.