Chapter 2
Seven long years had past since the defeat of Sauron. Much had happened in this time. It was the dawn of a new age, much had been destroyed by the forces of Mordor. The reconstructions were long and laborious. Due to the generous help of The Elves of Eryn Lasgalen and the Dwarven smiths of Erebor Minas Tirith was returned to its former splendor.
Everything was quiet in the white city of Minas Tirith. The storm had driven everyone inside and the normally busy street was quiet and empty. The wind was howling loudly and rain was beating against the windows.
In the Throne Room King Elessar (Aragorn, Strider, Estel, Elfstone … and Faramir, Steward of Gondor were playing a game of chess.
After the crowning of Elessar, the Fellowship had broken apart and everyone had gone their separate ways. Legolas and Gimli had visited Fangorn and the, Glittering Caves. The Hobbits had returned to the Shire. Frodo had rebuild Bag End where he now lived with Sam and Rosie and her four children, Elanor, Frodo lad, Rose, and Merry, the youngest who was barely a year old. Merry ( the older) and Pippin had settled down as well. Merry was now master of Buckland, where as Pippin had taken over the role as a Thain. Everything was back to normal. Gandalf was traveling around as he always did. And a before mentioned ranger was married to the most beautiful elleth since Luthien Tinuviel.
Now the Fellowship had reunited once again to celebrate the birth of Eldarion, Son of King Elessar and Queen Arwen, crown Prince of Gondor and Anor
Aragorn stared thoughtfully at the chessboard. Faramir was quite an opponent. Carefully he moved his queen two paces forward.
The rest of the Fellowship were either watching the game or in the Hobbit's case smoking a pipe.
Faramir's queen had just defeated one of Aragorn's knights and he was now about to put Aragorn checkmate.
"Be careful my Lord," he teased, mirth sparkling in his gray eyes "or you will loose, for the fourth time in a row I might add. "
"I am well aware of this fact" Aragorn growled, but Faramir just laughed
Suddenly the door to the throne room opened and a messenger entered. Aragorn rolled his eyes and sighed in mock defeat.
"Eru forbid that the King ever has too much leisure time."
Everyone laughed. Even the messenger could not suppress a smile, but the laughter died on his lips as he remembered the message he was assigned to deliver. He bowed low before his king.
"My Lord the Mithrandir has just arrived in Minas Tireth and wishes to talk to you. He said that it was very urgent and that it can not possibly wait until tomorrow"
With a wink of his hand Aragorn dismissed the messenger. Nervously he started pacing up and down the room. His face showed deep concern. Mithrandir had not sounded this urged since the War of The Ring. What could be so urgent that it could not wait until tomorrow?
Gandalf looked like always. He wore a white cloak and a white hat, shielding his eyes. He leaned heavily on his staff, giving him the deceiving appearance of an old man. But something has changed. The istari looked weary, like a man carrying a burden to great for him.
The relaxed atmosphere that had filled the room was now replaced with an almost tangible tenseness. Nobody spoke. Legolas was the first to break the silence.
"Mae Govannen Mithrandir. What news is that you bring that trouble you so?
"Mae Govannen Legolas Thranduilion" Gandalf answered. "Alas news I bring are grave indeed."
All eyes of the Fellowship were now on Gandalf.
"A few month's ago I started having visions I could not explain; only later did I find out that these visions showed the future. There I was contacted by Albus Dumbledore. He is the leader of a school for witches and wizards"
"Like you" Pippin piped in.
"No Master Pippin" Gandalf said, "they are very different from the istari, but first let me finish my story please. I will explain later."
Much of what we know does no longer exist. Most of the forests have been cut down. The races of the Second Born inhabit the Earth. Dwarves, elves and Hobbits are but fairy tails to them. Gandalf continued "It seams that our story has not been forgotten by those that follow us."Someone called J.R.R Tolkien has re written the Red Book of West March. Most people believe that our world is just a fantasy, sprung form the mind of a linguistic genius. Albus Dumbledore is one of the view people that know the truth about Middle Earth. To make Long matters short; He has called up on us for help, for a new Dark Lord has risen and I threatening to destroy the race of the Second Born.
Everyone was silent for a minute, remembering Sauron and the damage he had cause to Middle Earth. Pippin closed his eyes in as the memories came rushing back. For a moment he saw Denethor with the palantir in his hand, his eyes shining with madness and despair. He remembered the day he had stood on the wall with Beregond. The cries of the Nazgul hanging in the air, making even the bravest soldiers quiver with fear. He had grown much during the time of the ring, not only physically but also in wisdom. In his childhood he had always believed battles to be glorious. Adventures seamed so easy and you were always finished in time for dinner. Yet there was nothing glorious about death. Adventures were not always what you expected form them. Life was not so easy that it could be characterized into black and white.
When Gandalf continued to talk Pippin's mind snapped back to the present.
"I have offered my assistance top fight on Dumbledore's side. Now I came to you, for I can not do the task on my own. The bonds of friendship are stronger than any magic. What say you!
The whole room was so quiet that you could hear a needle fall. Aragorn was the first to speak.
"I will go with you Mithrandir. I have been caged in this castle for far too long. It is time for Strider to make reappearance.
Legolas and Gimli stood up and walked over to Mithrandir. Frodo looked around the room apprehensively. His face was a mixture of fear and weariness. It was clear to everyone what a great sacrifice this quest would mean to the Hobbits, Frodo and Sam in particular.
"I apologize, Frodo." Gandalf said "It will not be like it was before," he said. "Your task will be to offer guidance and counseling to Harry, who has suffered nearly as much as you have."
"Well Mr. Frodo" Sam said," It seams that the time for rest has not yet come. If you choose to go Mr. Frodo, I will follow; I wouldn't let you go alone.
"I know Sam. And I could not wish for a better companion than you."
Than it is decided, we will leave tomorrow at dawn. Now it is time to rest. Everyone stood up and went to bed. There was no one in the Fellowship that did not feel apprehensive. What would wait them? What dangers would they face? The moon stood bright on the nigh sky, bathing the city in a silvery light.
A/N LillyandJamesForever here. I just wanted to thank you for all the kind comments you left me. Please continue to do . I do not mind CC at all, just don't insult me. I know you would never do that.
Anyway the asterixes are marking the passage that I took form another fic. With permission of cause. It comes form the story "Scars of the Future" by BraellyraLeatherleaf. Please check the story out. You will not be disappointed.
