Disclaimer: Regretfully, I do not own any characters or places in Lord of the Rings.
The last few humans quickly took their seats as Elrond stood up to signal the beginning of the Council of Elrond.
"I wonder if Elrond is going to address the problem about the shortage of mushrooms." whispered a brown-haired hobbit to his fair-haired companion.
"I don't think so, Pip." whispered back Merry as he peeked out at Elrond from his hiding place.
"Strangers…from… dis…tant…laaaaandsssss…" began Elrond.
"Is it just me, or is Lord Elrond speaking particularly slow today?" whispered Frodo to Bilbo.
"Hmm… it does seem that Lord Elrond is speaking rather slower than usual…" murmured back Bilbo to his favorite nephew as he furrowed his eyebrows together in thought.
"Fri…ends…offfffff…olllllllld…." continued Elrond as he swept his gaze across the patio where the meeting was held.
"When will this be over? My legs are tired!" whined Pippin to Merry as he hopped from one foot to another.
"SHHHHH! We may get overheard!" cautioned Merry as he took another peek.
"Weeeeeee…haaaave…beeeeeeeeeeeen….." droned Elrond.
Snores could be heard as some people started to drop off to dreamland from the long introduction.
"Suuuummmmmooooooonnnnnned…here…tooooooo…an…swer…the…threeeeeeeeat…offff…Mooooooorrrrrdoooorrrrr…"
Those in the audience still conscious were all whispering to the people beside them. Each asking one another one single question.
"When will this meeting be over?"
"Middddd…lllleeee…Earrrrthhhh…sttaaannndsss…upppoonnn…theee…brink…offff… destruuccctioonnnn…"
Frodo tried to shake off the feeling of drowsiness that everybody else was also feeling. As he felt Bilbo succumb to the alluring power of sleep, he knew he too, could hold on no longer.
Aragorn really tried to stay awake to hear the Lord of Imladris. But, it was futile. The future King of Gondor could not resist as his heavy eyelids closed. Lord Elrond really was speaking way too slow.
Legolas' last thought before he gave into the comforting abyss was, "This chair is so uncomfortable."
And so it was that when Lord Elrond of Imladris, or Rivendell as it is commonly known as, finished his introduction and finally bid Frodo to bring forth the One Ring, he found his audience all fast asleep and paying no attention to what was happening.
Why is everybody all sleeping? Did they not get enough sleep the night before?
Those were the thoughts of the Lord of the Last Homely House as he stood there, surrounded by snoring, humans, elves, dwarves, an Istar, and five hobbits. Two sitting in their chairs, one in the bushes, and two just outside the door leading into the meeting place.
AN: Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter. I really appreciate the support.