...
~ Decisions ~
"I think I shall choose nine, to match the Nine of the Enemy. And you to lead them, corresponding to their own leader," said the Elf Lord.
The wizard nodded. "Along with Frodo and Sam I should like to at least choose the girl to bring along, the maiden Elraen. She is resolved to go onward to Gondor in any case."
The Master looked at the wizard gravely. "Yes, she said as much. But, she is only a child," said Elrond, "also it is not custom to bring women on such journeys. We could send an envoy to Gondor separately afterward, assuming this plan works in our favor," replied the Master of the Last Homely House.
"She is near the same age as the other heir when he first went out into the wild, and clearly no stranger to hard travel and dangerous adventures," Gandalf countered. "And this is no customary Quest. Nonetheless I will look after her," he said to assuage the loremaster's concerns. He paused in thought a moment, then shook his head and continued. "My heart tells me that she has a role to play, and that it has something to do with me. I feel she needs to come along with us."
The Elf lord gazed sidelong in thought at the wizard. At last he said, "I cannot see much of either her past or her future, so your heart may foretell the better. I agree she must have a role to play, that much seems likely. For I sense something unusual about her, something of power I think, perhaps like what the Exiles called their magicians. I could not say from where it comes, and might be wary of it but for the word of the Shipwright." He paused for a moment, and sighed. "Very well then, I yield to your judgment. The Wizard, leading the Nine Walkers." Master Elrond turned to look south along the mountains out a window, his thoughts heavy on the days to come.
*.*.*
Shortly afterwards Master Elrond visited Frodo to confirm the hobbit's commitment to the quest. He gave such advice and promise of help as he could offer, listing for the hobbit those others who would join.
"Legolas shall be for the Elves; and Gimli son of Gloin for the Dwarves. They are willing to go at least to the mountain passes, and maybe beyond. The maiden Elraen will go at Gandalf's request. But for men you shall have Aragorn son of Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely."