FIRST KNIGHT BY ASHA DREAMWEAVER
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Summary: BtVS/LotR. Buffy gets sent to Middle Earth to help bring down Sauron. Her duty, like the Istari, is not to confront Sauron directly but to help those fated to face him bring him down. More specifically she's to help the King of Gondor get on his throne. Will Arwen and Aragorn's love stand against the shadow? Will Legolas be able to keep a secret, that if revealed, could shatter the lives of those he cares for? Will Buffy be able to fulfil her duty? Will Denethor be able to put aside his animosity for the man who would supplant him? Will the ringbearer reach Mount Doom, or will he be cut down before he reaches his goal? And will Boromir resist the lure of the ring?
Author's notes: Here's the council of Elrond! Yay! And to clear up a bit of confusion, Boromir will NOT be falling For Buffy!
Review responses:
Anna - well, I can't have it all be dark times! Yes, you're right about why Elrond's staring. Well, it's ok because it wasn't a cliffhanger. Evil cliff-hangers will be coming a plenty in the future, but I wanted to inject a bit of humour first.
BuffyandDracoLover - no, they wouldn't dare prank her. Yet. Yes, the Boromir confrontation should be interesting once he finds out who she is.
ChibiChibi - will the twins get what they deserve? Depends on who you're talking to!
goldenshadows - Love lives are Complicated. It's a fact of life. Especially for certain people. But I am not putting Boromir into that mess! And Gimli with Legolas! How loud can I scream NOOOOOO!!!!
Haley - no, Boromir is not gonna fall for Buffy! But there is gonna be some triangle-ness.
Imp17 - no, he's not gonna fall for her, don't worry!
Julie - Boromir not in love with Buffy.
Lunawolf - he won't. don't worry.
MiShA - that's something you'll have to discover for yourself!
Organized-chaos - I found it somewhere. Can't remember where though. But I wanted to know why hit him with a frozen salmon instead of say, a book, chair, lamp etc?
Phoenix83ad - thank you! They are the original terrors, aren't they? And no, he's not going to hit on her! But yes, it is very hard to know who to feel sorry for!
Restive Nature - thanks! 'malicious fun'. what an apt way to put it. But as for the weapons thing, the Dwarves really do sleep with their axes! So unless you were willing to strip search the Dwarves, you wouldn't get them off them. Not to mention the Dwarves couldn't get down off the roof and so not really a threat to them. They'd know when they were coming for them.
Samantha - it's coming up soon, don't worry!
Star - you don't. this chapter only took 2 days! And no, you didn't miss it. It's in this chapter. And sorry, but Boromir is NOT falling for Buffy!
And major thanks to:
Cristina, Ms8309, Night-Owl123, pamie884, ShawThang, VioletHaze, Wild320, zayra,
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: REVELATIONS PART TWO
That eve, the entire valley was aware that something very strange was going on, and even by the most dispassionate Elves it was acknowledged that the buzz in the valley signalled some impending excitement.
But not all were looking forward to the merriment, mostly the two unfortunate Elves stuck as the 'entertainers'.
His back to the mirror, Elladan adjusted the restrictive clothing before shouting through the door, "I am ready!"
"Well, 'tis about time." Elrohir huffed, wincing at the sight of his brother.Both brothers had quickly concluded that this was cruel and most unusual punishment, and as their father had been repressing laughter when he forwarded Glóin's demand for their punishment, Elladan and Elrohir just knew that he was enjoying this whole saga immensely.
Which of course made the twins all the more eager to wreak terrible Elvish vengeance on those grubby little Dwarves in recompense for this humiliation!
"Well, I still think that we should not have underestimated Arwen," Elladan said, "Should you not have dissuaded her from being ada's accomplice?"
"Do not put me in the middle." Elrohir said, "This is as much your fault as mine."
"I am not putting you anywhere, you were born in the middle." Elladan replied, "But I hope that all those who even dare to think of laughing at us, will be subjected to a persistent round of torments to pay them back for their disloyalty."
"You plan to anger the whole valley brother?" Elrohir said wryly, "Because I would wager that the only ones not laughing are us."
"Let us just get this over with, and if we can manage it, I will spill ale on each and every single person who has the temerity to comment."
"Planning on emptying the cellar too, brother?" Elrohir called after him, causing him to growl in annoyance.
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The barracks of Rivendell were exceptionally crowded that night; with lots of night time revellers all eager to see the much publicised punishment doled out by Lord Elrond.
The event which was to occur this night was not one likely to be repeated in the entire history of Arda.
Buffy and Arwen had arrived together, not wanting to miss the prime sight that was bound to be Arwen's hapless brothers.
"Ada, has the most delightful errand for them," Arwen was saying, "'Tis sometimes too easy to forget that he can be worse than Elladan and Elrohir together when he has the mind to be!"
"Oh good so this is all your fault then?" Buffy said, "'Cos I take it that the twins aren't exactly coming here of their own free will."
"Of course not!" Arwen exclaimed gleefully, "But a little blackmail backed up with ada's threats and authority usually works wonders."
"Perfect." Buffy deadpanned, "While the twins are in the doghouse, you chose to go insane. By the way, did you hear about Aragorn's little tumble off the balcony?"
Arwen giggled, "Into the horses' water trough? Of course mellon nín (my friend). Oh dear, to speak of the Balrog, here come Legolas and Aragorn."
Buffy immediately started checking for the nearest exits and exaggeratedly scanned the roof.
"What are you doing?!" Aragorn asked as he came closer, observing her strange actions.
"Nothing good ever happens when you two are together so I am waiting for a mountain to plop down and fall in around us, or perhaps a swarm of orcs will ambush us or mayhap you shall just kill each other yourselves!" Buffy teased.
"Har de har har," Aragorn said sarcastically, remembering a well used phrase of Buffy's.
"She is such a delight." Legolas said wryly as well, eyeing Buffy in annoyance.
Aragorn's eyes lit up as he spotted the twins sneaking in, and a loud cheer rose from the crammed barracks, where nearly every Elf in the valley was now residing, waiting to see the twins' new looks.
Arwen and Buffy collapsed into laughter at the sight of them, and Legolas and Aragorn were visibly smirking, as were Glorfindel and Erestor, who was supervising a painter commissioned to capture the rare occasion, while the rest of the gathered people were swallowed in mirth at the hilarious sight.
Standing near the door, arms crossed and looking fit to kill, were Elladan and Elrohir, and they looked decidedly different than normal.
For you see, Glóin's punishment, (aided by Erestor's helpful hints), had been simple. Elladan and Elrohir would feel the humiliation they had inflicted upon the Dwarves, by borrowing two dresses and donning them for one night to serve the ale in the barracks.
When Elrond had finished laughing, he had enthusiastically agreed, certain in the belief that the twins would not dare wreak the vengeance for this one on him.
And so the humiliation of the gwenyn (twins) was total.
But as they got onto the business of serving the ale, the dresses borrowed from Arwen swaying, none knew what crafty little schemes were being hatched by those busy, busy minds…
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"Of course I think betting on it is wrong!" Elrond exclaimed, "Betting on which side shall annihilate the other first is not the proper thing to do!"
"Glad to see you have a healthy handle on the situation, Elrond," Buffy said, "But if you seriously think the twins are going to let the Dwarves' revenge go unavenged, you're insane."
"I never said that," Elrond defended himself, "But I do hope to keep out of this entire fiasco!"
"Okay, why do I get the feeling that my day's about to get worse?" Buffy said, "You sound like Sauron's about to sweep down on us or something."
"These are my sons of which I speak," Elrond pointed out pragmatically, "And Thranduil's heir. And war is coming. Indeed, it is upon us already is it not?" he said, darkening Buffy's mood.
"Spoilsport," Buffy muttered.
"Nay!" Elrond called, "I just want my valley left standing ere the end!" A loud bang cut off whatever else he was going to say as Gandalf and Arwen walked in. "Gandalf!" Elrond exclaimed, "Really! Do you not have ought better to do than try and destroy my halls?" he accused.
"That bang was Arwen's doing I assure you," the wizard said, somewhat offended. Elrond looked at his daughter expectantly.
"I am just trying to get some attention which lately seems to require a small explosion." she said, pouting for good measure.
Elrond's face fell, "Oh pen vell (dear one), you know I do not neglect you intentionally but if your brothers' antics are not watched, then more the fool me. What can I do to make amends?"
Arwen's smile increased in wattage, moving it from luminous to blinding, and making alarm bells ring in Elrond's head. And then a migraine moved in as she explained what she wanted from him.
This tendency towards trouble had to come from Galadriel's side of the family, Elrond swore, resignedly listening to his daughter's plans.
Across the room, after overhearing part of the conversation, Erestor's eyes widened and he looked at Glorfindel, "Were it not for the sorrow of my Lord and Lady, I would be most happy at not having to oversee those three rascals."
Beside him, the Balrog-slayer nodded his head in agreement, "You have to admit that their… lively dispositions would have kept us well entertained."
"Only if one wanted to be remit to Mandos' Halls by all four children of Elrond." Erestor said wryly, including Estel in his statement.
"You make a very good point my friend. Visiting those halls for a second time, only to see I died at the hands of their mischief instead of a Balrog… 'twould be most unbecoming."
Erestor and Glorfindel shared a knowing look as they thought on their Lord's plight, "Think you the twins will win?" Erestor asked.
Glorfindel scoffed, "Of course, mellon nín (my friend), they have had three thousand years of practice and they have Legolas Thranduilion to help them. That pen neth (young one) inherited his father's temper when roused."
Erestor acknowledged the Elda's point, "I only hope the Naugrim know what they have let themselves in for. Master Glóin's punishment has secured them a place on the twins' agenda for revenge and I would hate to have to be the one to explain to King Dáin exactly why the Dwarves he sent here met with foul play."
As the two Elves listened in on Arwen's expert cajoling of Elrond, they shared a despairing look.
One thing was certain; and that was that the valley would not regain its peace until long after their visitors were gone.
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"A man is too apt to forget that in this world he cannot have everything. A choice is all that is left him."
-- H. Mathews
Elrond found his foster son in his mother's garden, gazing on the statue of Gilraen, who had passed away many years ago in the reckoning of Men. He knew Aragorn still missed her.
But he had errands other than soothing his foster son's bruised heart.
He could not bear this torture any longer.
Things had to be brought into the open.
"Aragorn, I would speak to you," he said softly.
The ranger turned around, and the Elvenlord saw the gathering dread in those grey eyes, and knew that the man had deduced much of what he had come here to say.
He did not waste time on pleasantries when both of them knew his real purpose in coming to him.
"You must let her go, Aragorn. She belongs with her people!" Elrond said vehemently.
"I think that is her choice, not yours." the ranger said quietly.
"You would sunder her from her naneth (mother), and extinguish her immortal flame? You would kill her!" Elrond cried.
"I would do nothing but love her," Aragorn said in a pained tone, his anguish clearly written on his face.
The Elvenlord was no less sincere, and his own ageless face was ravaged by grief at the imminent loss of his beloved only daughter, of all his children the most alike to Celebrían, his beautiful and much loved wife who awaited him in the West.
Awaited him and their children.
"Aragorn, our time here is ending. Arwen's time is ending. Let her go. Let her take the ship into the west. Let her bear away her love for you to the Undying Lands. There it will be evergreen." Elrond pleaded with the one man that stood between his daughter and an immortal life.
Aragorn's eyes closed in envisioned pain, "But never more than a memory." he said softly, "Never more than an image of a life that could have been…"
Elrond held his ground, "I will not leave my daughter here to die." he said, letting all his resentment of Aragorn come to the fore. Aragorn could not be only a beloved foster child anymore, now he was the man that threatened to be Arwen's unwitting murderer.
But also, unknown to Aragorn, the Elvenlord had ulterior motives. He had watched Buffy during her stay here, and had agreed with his sons, the slayer loved Aragorn. He would not condemn Aragorn to a life of heartbreak, but neither could he sacrifice the life of his only daughter.
"She stays because she still has hope." Aragorn said, causing Elrond to scoff.
"She stays for YOU!" Elrond cried in acute anguish, "She belongs with her people! Leave her go Aragorn! Let her live!"
Aragorn was silent for a long while ere he made any reply, "You do not understand, Elrond, she is the only light in the darkness. If I lose her, I could not bear to live. But the choice is hers in the end, not mine. If you wish her to sail to the Undying Lands, then go to her. Do not accuse me of what I cannot help. Do you think that I would condemn her to a mortal life if I could help it? But please, leave me be. You have wounded my heart with your words, and I understand that until there is a resolution, nothing can heal this rift between us. It is too wide, and the cause too dear to us."
And with that, the man who would be King walked away, leaving a thoughtful Elf in his wake.
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To hide himself from Elrond and his disturbing words, Aragorn camped out in the lesser used library, where the shards of Narsil and Aeglos, the great spear of Gil-galad were displayed in shrines to their fallen masters.
He had not been long trying to feign interest in a book when the eldest son of Denethor entered.
Aragorn had to admit that he was most curious about the man, as this would be the one whose power he would usurp if he were to claim the title of king.
That the man was a tad too arrogant for his own good was his first impression, and the second was that he was unlearned in the lore of Gondor, and of other realms.
Curiosity drove him, he knew, when the man, Boromir as he was called, approached the shards of Narsil with something approaching awe. He felt some unknown anger at his family's heirlooms, his by right, being mauled by someone who did not even have a proper appreciation for them. He let the anger take him, it was better than this maudlin mood that had settled over him after Elrond's talk.
"The shards of Narsil." Boromir said in awe, unaware of his audience, "The blade that cut the Ring from Sauron's hand." Running his finger over the blade, he abruptly pulled back as it sliced through his finger, "It's still sharp." he whispered but then trailed off as he looked around and saw Aragorn watching him.
Unnerved by that intense grey eyed stare, the man of the south looked away and said dismissively, "But no more than a broken heirloom."
Hastily he put back the sword, uncaring that the hilt fell to the ground, while Aragorn's annoyed gaze bored into his back as he left.
Sighing, Aragorn put down his book, and went over to the shrine, picking up the hilt and reverently placing it back in its proper position.
He stood there for a while, looking at the portrait of Isildur cutting the ring from Sauron's finger, wondering why the line of Isildur always seemed to cause nought but pain and trouble.
A soft familiar and gentle voice came from behind him, "Aragorn? Why do you hurt yourself so?"
Aragorn closed his eyes in remembered and future pain, 'no, but yours shall be the fate of Lúthien, and 'tis my selfishness, Isildur's lack of will, that will be the cause of your death.' he thought. "The same blood flows in my veins. The same weakness." he said, only voicing some of his dilemma.
Your time will come. You will face the same evil and you will defeat it." Arwen reassured him, coming closer, "A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Aragorn. Ú or le a ú or nin. (The Shadow does not hold sway yet. Not over you, not over me.)"The Lady of Rivendell placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder, trying to impart comfort to the burdened ranger, "Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."
When Aragorn remained silent, she spoke again, "Your time will come. You will face the same evil and you will defeat it."
Aragorn looked at the Evenstar's lovely, compassionate face and could not look her in the eye. How could he explain the horrors of the world to one who had been protected from them all her life? How could he explain mortality to one who had never known it? How could he confide his troubles when he knew that he was not worthy of her? Of anyone really.
How could he tell her that her words brought no comfort to him anymore? And that her soft touches did not alleviate his stress anymore?
How could he tell her that his desire for her was waning, collapsing, under the burdens placed upon him by all that he knew and those he did not know?
"My lady, I must go," he said roughly, trying to ignore the painful clenching of his heart as he thought of his future fate.
She let him go, watching him with those knowing eyes, so like to her father and grandmother, but ere he reached the door, she spoke.
"Aragorn," she called and he stopped but didn't turn back to look at her, "If you always judge yourself by your predecessors, then you are doomed to fail before you even begin."
Her words chased him long after he had left her presence.
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As she watched Aragorn once more flee from his destiny, and from her, Arwen welcomed the sharp pain that lanced through her heart at the thought that he could no longer find any comfort in her presence.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong with them.
There was something missing, and for the life of her, Arwen could not recall how and when exactly that connection between them had died. If they had ever had one?
She had not understood before, had not seen, had not wanted to see.
But her eyes were wide open now.
And she could see with biting clarity what she had missed before.
She could not fault them, could not fault herself; these things were meant to be.
And it was time to bring love out of the shadows, and to no longer hide behind the cover of duty, of friendship, of honour.
It was time for her to set them free….
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"You're wrong if you think the best way to solve a problem is to talk it to death."
- unknown
The Council Chamber, the Last Homely House, Rivendell, 3018 TA, October 27.
The congregation to decide the fate of Middle Earth had gathered in the Council Chamber.
Its attendees were varied and most of noble backgrounds, producing a most eclectic mix for this discussion. There were the two hobbits, Frodo and Bilbo; Aragorn; the twins and their father; Glorfindel; Erestor; a smattering of other counsellors; the Dwarven party; Boromir of Gondor; Gandalf the Grey; an Elf called Galdor from the Grey Havens; Legolas Greenleaf; Arwen Evenstar and Buffy herself.
Buffy seated herself between Arwen and Erestor and soon Elrond called the council into session. "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands upon the brink of destruction.
None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound this fate, this one doom." he said ominously, "But first, here my friends, is the Hobbit, Frodo, son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent." he said, introducing Frodo.
Elrond swiftly ran through the rest of the introductions, glossing over both Buffy and Aragorn, whose backgrounds he did not want known to the council just yet.
The Dwarves were the first to speak, and Glóin put all animosity against the Elves, especially Legolas, aside to lay out the troubles of the Dwarves with the Enemy.
"It is now many years ago," said Glóin, "That a shadow of disquiet fell on our people. Whence it came we did not at first perceive. Words began to be whispered in secret; it was said that we were hemmed in a narrow place, and that greater wealth and splendour would be found in a wider world. Some spoke of Moria; the might works of our fathers that are called in our own tongue Khazad-dûm; and they declared that now at last we had the powers and numbers to return."
Buffy shuddered at the name of that foul place. Her nightmares were often haunted by memories of her ordeal in those cursed mines… She never even wanted to hear about that place again….
A quick glance at Aragorn told her that he too was reliving some very bad memories of that place.
Sighing in resignation that she would be forced to hear more than she ever wanted to, she tuned back into Glóin's words.
Glóin sighed wistfully, as if thinking on the wonder that it had previously been, "Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world! Too deep we delved there, and woke the nameless fear. Long have its vast mansions lain empty since the children of Durin fled. But now we spoke of it again with longing, an yet with dread; for no dwarf has dared to pass the doors of Khazad-dûm for many lives of kings, save Thrór only, and he perished. At last, however, Balin listened to the whispers, and resolved to go; and though Dáin did not give leave willingly, he took with him Ori and "in and many of our folk, and they went away south."
Buffy barely stifled a gasp. Some fool had gone into that hellhole willingly? Even knowing there had been a Balrog there? She closed her eyes in sorrow, already knowing what had to have been their fate.
No group of Dwarves could have retaken those mines.
An army ten thousand strong would scarcely have been enough to do so. And even they couldn't access the lower levels of that death trap.
"That was nigh on thirty years ago. For a while we had news and it seemed good; messages reported that Moria had been entered and a great work began there. Then there was silence, and no word has ever come from Moria since."
Buffy felt like interrupting but kept silent, not wanting to draw attention to herself, and she smiled gratefully at Arwen when her intuitive friend took her hand in her own, silently offering her comfort against the dark thoughts and memories.
Glóin continued on relentlessly but his tone spoke of a heavy heart and a burdened mind. "Then about a year ago a messenger came to Dáin, but not from Moria - from Mordor; a horseman in the night, who called Dáin to his gate. The Lord Sauron the Great, so he said, wished for our friendship. Rings he would give for it, such as he gave of old. And he asked urgently concerning hobbits, of what kind they were, and where they dwelt. 'For Sauron knows,' said he, 'that one of these was known to you on a time."
Frodo gasped at this, but Gandalf silenced him with a look, not wanting the council's attention drawn to Frodo just yet.
"At this we were greatly troubled, and we gave no answer. And then the fell voice was lowered, and he would have sweetened it if he could. 'As a small token of your friendship Sauron asks this,' he said, 'that you should find this thief,' such was his word, 'and get from him, willing or no, a little ring, the least of rings, that once he stole. It is bit a trifle that Sauron fancies, and an earnest of your good will. Find it, and three rings that the Dwarf-sires possessed of old shall be returned to you, and the realm of Moria shall be yours for ever. Find only news of the thief, whether he still lives and where, and you shall have great reward and lasting friendship from the Lord. Refuse, and things will not seem so well. Do you refuse?" the Dwarf-lord's voice was haunted, and even Legolas and the twins felt some pity for the beleaguered kingdom of Dwarves,
"At that his breath came like the hiss of snakes, and all who stood by shuddered, but Dáin said, 'I say neither yea or nay. I must consider this message and what it means under its fair cloak.''Consider well, but not too long,' said he.
'The time of my thoughts is my own to spend,' answered Dáin.'For the present,' said he, and rode into the darkness.
"Heavy have the hearts of our chieftains been since that night." Glóin said, looking around the council as if to judge their opinions on the matter. "We needed not the fell voice of the messenger to warn us that his words held both menace and deceit; for we knew already that the power has re-entered Mordor has not changed, and ever it betrayed us of old. Twice the messenger has returned, and gone unanswered. The third and last time, so he says, is soon to come, before the ending of the year."
He paused here, and then continued but more urgently this time, his face turned towards his old friend, Bilbo Baggins.
"And so I have been sent at last by Dáin to warn Bilbo that he is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desires this ring, this least of rings. Also we crave the advice of Elrond. For the Shadow grows and draws nearer. We discover that messengers have come also to King Brand of Dale, and that he is afraid. We fear that he may yield. Already war is gathering on his eastern borders. If we make no answer, the Enemy may move Men of his rule to assail King Brand, and Dáin also."
At this news of Dale, Legolas looked alarmed and both Arwen and Buffy shot him looks of sympathy, knowing how close the human kingdom was to Mirkwood. If Dale fell to the shadow… Mirkwood's days would be numbered…
"You have done well to come," said Elrond, "You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy. There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. It is time I tell you of how the Ring came to be, and how the Last Alliance ended with the defeat of Sauron, but not his total destruction."
In a quiet voice, laden with memory, Elrond spoke of Eregion, and its crafts, and of Annatar, Sauron's fair guise, telling the tale from the forging of the One Ring to the last battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
"I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him, but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father's sword and took it for his own." Elrond said, not entirely able to hide his bitterness at the reason why Sauron yet lived to trouble them.
Boromir broke in then, exclaiming exuberantly, "So that is what became of the Ring!" he cried, "If ever such a tale was told in the South, it has long been forgotten. I have heard of the Great Ring of him that we do not name; but we believed that it had perished from the world in the ruin of the first realm. Isildur took it! That is tidings indeed!"
Arwen glanced over to Buffy, 'This is the one who will be steward to Aragorn?' she said in mind-speak, 'He seems too rash to be trusted near the One.' she warned.
Buffy replied in the same vein, knowing Arwen would hear her, 'It's Denethor's influence. He was always on a major ego trip and this guy doesn't strike me as the bookish type. But I agree, he shows way too much interest in the Ring.'
"Aye, Isildur took it, and carried it with him from the foot of Orodruin, where his father was slain. 'This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother' he said, and none could persuade him to destroy, through words or force," Elrond said, "and therefore whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it. And so we come to why we are now gathered here. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo came forward and reluctantly placed the ring onto the table, letting all present see its deceptively plain appearance.
"So it is true!" Boromir whispered in a half gasp.
"The doom of all," one of the Dwarves muttered, looking askance at the deceiving gold band.
"Behold Isildur's Bane!" Elrond cried, "Here lies the One Ring of Sauron, that he searches for ever, and that which we must never regain if Middle Earth is not to be covered in a second darkness. But firstly, there is more of this tale yet to be told, so leave it be for a while!"
Elrond then spoke of the history of Gondor next, purposely ignoring the expectant glances Boromir sent his way, the man thinking that Lord Elrond should have asked him about his home country, and at the first pause of the Elvenlord, he broke in once more, seeming not to notice the deadly glare that Erestor, the chief counsellor, was sending his way for his continued breaches of manners and protocol.
"Give me leave, Master Elrond," Boromir said somewhat haughtily, "first to say more of Gondor, for verily from the land of Gondor I am come. And it would be well for all to know what passes there. For few, I deem, know of our deeds, and therefore guess little of their peril, if we should fail at last."
Elrond looked a little incredulous at the man's impertinence but duly gave him leave to speak, which he did copiously.
"Believe not that in the land of Gondor the blood of Númenor is spent, nor all its pride and dignity forgotten." Boromir said, rising to his feet and addressing the entire council, as if he felt the need to justify Gondor's reasons for existence and its importance. But as he talked, he remained unaware of several unwavering glances fixed on him as they studied this somewhat brash lord of the Guarded City.
"By our valour the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay; and thus alone are peace ad freedom maintained in the lands behind us, bulwark of the West. But if the passages of the River should be won, what then?" Boromir said passionately.
"Yet that hour, maybe, is not now far away. The Nameless Enemy had arisen again. Smoke rises once more from Orodruin that we call Mount Doom. The power of the Black Land grows and we are hard beset. When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien, our fair domain east of the River, though we kept a foothold there and strength of arms. But this very year, in the days of June, sudden war came upon us out of Mordor and we were swept away. We were outnumbered, for Mordor has allied itself with the Easterlings and the cruel Haradrim; but it was not by numbers that we were defeated. A power was there that we have not felt before." he explained, not knowing that this information had for the most part long been known, much of it provided by the rangers, and the background history from Aragorn, Buffy, Elladan and Elrohir.
By now Boromir was waving his hands about as he continued his impassioned plea, "Some said it could be seen, like a great black horseman, a dark shadow under the moon. Wherever he came a madness filled our foes, but fear fell on the boldest, so that horse and man gave way and fled. Only a remnant of our eastern force came back, destroying the last bridge that still stood amid the ruins of Osgiliath." he paused for a moment.
"I was in the company that held the bridge, until it was cast down behind us. Four only were saved by swimming; my brother and myself and two others. But still we fight o, holding all the west shores of the Anduin; and those who shelter behind us give us praise, if ever they hear our name; much praise but little help. Only from Rohan now will any men ride to us when we call…" he said somewhat despondently.
"I only ask for counsel and the unravelling of hard words. For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again and once to me. In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying; Seek for the Sword that was broken,
In Imladris it dwells,
There shall be counsels taken,
Stronger than Morgul-spells,
There shall be shown a token,
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand." he said, reciting the riddle that had baffled him and his brother, Faramir.
There were several gasps from the more well-informed amongst them, and now the southern lord was treated to a piercing glance of fierce intensity by Elrond, who had not yet heard of this riddle but understood its significance perfectly.
"I understand now the reference to Isildur's Bane," Boromir said, "And the halfling. But the Sword that was broken eludes me."
"And here in the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you," said Aragorn, standing up and drawing attention to himself for the first time since the council had started.
He cast his sword upon the table that stood before Elrond, and the blade was in two pieces. "Here is the Sword that was Broken!" he said.
"And who are you, and what have you to do with Minas Tirith?" asked Boromir, looking in wonder at the lean face of the ranger and his weather-stained cloak.
"A ranger of the north," Aragorn replied, "One who has seen the servants of the Enemy. And I am well versed in the lore of the Sword that was Broken, and I am its current keeper."
"Be that as it may, why should the Sword matter when this gift is delivered into our hands?" Boromir said, standing up himself, "For 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. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"
You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Aragorn said, alarmed at Boromir's lack of caution towards the ring. And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir scoffed, his tone clearly conveying that he thought the ranger beneath him.Buffy kept her silence, not wanting to engage in testosterone warfare and Arwen remained silent as well, those sharp eyes studying the man intently.
But Legolas could not let his friend's honour be slurred and so came to his defence, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." he said fervently.
Aragorn glared at him, whilst Elrond had a long-suffering expression on his face and Boromir looked at Aragorn incredulously, not believing the Elven Prince's words.
"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn," said Elrond confirming Legolas's statement somewhat reluctantly, as if he knew he was adding fuel to an already raging bonfire, "And he is descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil. He is the Chief of the Dúnedain in the North, and few now are left of that folk."
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir repeated incredulously, staring at Aragorn as if he were a ghost.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas added for good measure.
At that reminder, Boromir's wonder soon turned to resentment, distrust and hatred, and he glowered at Aragorn darkly.
The ranger stared right back.
The tension was palpable as the two would be rulers of Minas Tirith grappled with each other in a contest of will.
At least until one voice broke the silence.
"Well," Buffy said, her voice unwittingly being carried around the room much louder than she had expected. "It looks like the cat's out of the bag…."
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A/N:Well? What do you think? Feedback please! Please READ and REVIEW!!!
Next chapter: the council continues… Aragorn lands himself in trouble again…. Arwen speaks her mind….
Elvish:
Mellon nín - my friend
Gwenyn - twins
Pen vell - dear one
Pen neth - young one
Estel - hope
Naugrim - Stunted Ones (Dwarves)
Thranduilion - son of Thranduil
Naneth - mother
Annatar - lord of gifts
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Aeglos - 'Snowthorn'. the spear of Gil-galad.
Aman - also called the Blessed Realm, Valinor or the Undying Lands. Home of the Elves in the West.
Amon Amarth - Mount Doom
Celebrían - Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter. Wife of Elrond. Mother to Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. Sailed West in 2510 after being attacked by orcs in 2509.
Círdan - also called 'the Shipwright'. Lord of the Grey Havens. The only Elf with a beard.
Dol Guldur - 'Hill of Sorcery'. A treeless height in the south-west of Mirkwood, a stronghold of the Necromancer before he was revealed as Sauron returned. Houses three Nazgûl, led by Khamûl.
Durin's Bane - the Balrog of Moria. Killed Durin VI in 1980.
Ephel Dúath - Mountains of Shadow. Also called the Fence of Shadow. The mountain range separating Gondor and Mordor.
Ereinion - 'scion of Kings'. High King of the Noldor after Turgon's death. Also known by his épessë (surname) Gil-galad.
Gil-galad - Last High King of the Noldor. King of Lindon. Died during the final battle of the Last Alliance.
Gladden Fields - Sindarin: Loeg Ningloron
Istari - the Maiar who were sent from Aman in the Third Age to resist Sauron. Sindarin: Ithryn.
Ithilien - territory of Gondor, east of Anduin. In the earliest time the possession of Isildur and ruled from Minas Ithil.
Lúthien - Daughter of King Thingol of Doriath and Melian the Maia. Born in the First Age. Married a mortal man and came back from the dead as a mortal after convincing Mandos with a song to release her and her love, Beren. Considered the most beautiful Elf-maid to walk Arda. Elrond's foremother.
Mithlond - the Grey Havens. Ruled by Círdan.
Mithril - 'true-silver'. Also called 'Moria-silver'. It was the foundation of the wealth of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. It was worth ten times the price of gold, and is now considered priceless, because there has been no supply of it since the fall of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm in 1980.
Morannon - The Black Gate of Mordor.
Moria - 'The Black Chasm', later name for the great works of the Dwarves under the Misty Mountains. Called Khazad-dûm in Dwarvish.
Naugrim - 'stunted ones'. Elvish term for Dwarves.
Narsil - the sword of Elendil that was broken when Elendil died in combat with Sauron. Isildur used its shards to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. The shards are passed down onto each successive heir of Isildur as a heirloom.
Númenor - Land of the Star. Translated 'Westland'. When Elros Half-Elven, Elrond's twin, chose to be of the Race of Men, the Valar granted him an island to rule over. It was prepared by the Valar as a dwelling place for the Edain after the First Age. Elros, granted a longer lifespan because of his Elven heritage, and the rest of the Edain who followed him were long lived as well, became Elros Tar-Minyatur, first King of Númenor.
Orthanc - the great Númenórean tower in the Circle of Isengard. Home of Saruman.
Osgiliath - Was once the capital of Gondor. But during the War of the Kin-Strife (a rebellion during the time of kings around the 1430's.) it was laid siege to by the rebels and burned to ruins in 1437.
The guarded city - Minas Tirith. The city was once called 'Minis Anor' - 'Tower of the Sun' but it's name was changed when both Minas Ithil and Osgiliath fell.
Vilya - the Ring of Air. Strongest of the three Elven Rings made by Celebrimbor. Borne by Elrond.
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