Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Hope you all are liking this story so far.

gunman: You are right about Bucky and Schmidt, but I didn't really feel it was necessary to show it. I get the feeling that Bucky wouldn't have reacted as much as Steve, and would've trusted Steve if he didn't attack. And yes, the Elves will meet the Avengers. As for how they'll interact, you'll have to wait and see.


Chapter 10- The Council

Night has fallen over Rivendell. As most of the Company has headed off to bed, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, Gandalf, Steve, and T'Challa have gathered with Elrond in one of Rivendell's chambers.

Gandalf had chosen this time as the right time to ask for Elrond's help in reading the map. Thorin, however, was no so eager.

"Our business is no concern of Elves," he says.

"For goodness sake, Thorin. Show him the map," Gandalf says.

"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect. As are its secrets," Thorin says stubbornly.

"Thorin, if you don't show Elrond, that map, then that map's secrets are going to stay secret, and I highly doubt you'll find anybody else anytime soon that can read that map. Are you really so stubborn that you'll give up possibly your one good chance to have that map read?" Steve asks.

Thorin looks at Steve, then back at Elrond. After a few moments, he gives in. Slowly, he pulls the map out of his pocket and hands it to Elrond, despite a protest from Balin.

Elrond slowly unfolds the map, and examines it. "Erebor," he says as he looks up from it, "And what is your interest in this map?"

Thorin is about to say something when Gandalf cuts in and says, "It's purely academic, of course. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text." Elrond raises an eyebrow, then turns away from them. He holds up the map, examining it. "You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf asks.

Elrond continues to examine the map. "Ithildin," he mutters after a moment.

"Moon runes," Gandalf translates into English. He smiles a bit and looks at the others before adding, "An easy thing to miss."

"Well, in this case, that is true. Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon with same shape and season as the day on which they were written," Elrond explains.

With barely contained excitement, Thorin asks, "Can you read them?"

Elrond nods and leads them out to a ledge overlooking a gorge, with a stone table right by the edge. As they walk, T'Challa wonders if Elrond could teach him the secret of writing moon runes, so that he might take the information back to Wakanda.

As they reach the stone table, Elrond says, "These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell." Pausing for a moment, he then addresses Thorin directly, "Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight."

As Elrond lays the map down on the stone table, the moon comes out from behind a cloud. The moonlight shines down right onto the ledge, and glowing white runes begin to spread across the bottom of the map.

Elrond looks a little closer, then reads, "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks. And the setting sun, with the last light of Durin's Day, will shine upon the keyhole."

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asks.

"It is the start of the Dwarves' New Year. When the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together," Gandalf explains.

Thorin doesn't look terribly excited. "This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us," he says.

Too bad we don't have a Quinjet, Steve thinks to himself.

"We still have time," Balin speaks up.

"To do what?" Bilbo asks.

"To find the entrance. We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened," Balin replies confidently.

"So this is your purpose, then? To enter the mountain?" Elrond asks for confirmation.

"What of it?" Thorin asks harshly.

"There are some who would not deem it wise," Elrond says before turning and walking away.


(Four days later)

For the next four days, Gandalf, Elrond, and the three Avengers were devoted to research in Elrond's library in hopes of finding any clues that may assist them in getting home. And for two days, they had no success.

That night, T'Challa accompanied Gandalf and Elrond on a walk through Rivendell at Elrond's request.

After talking for a brief bit about the Avengers and the fight over the Sokovia Accords, the talk turned to the Quest.

"I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing," Gandalf says after Elrond expresses his doubts.

"Do you?" Elrond asks, "That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if you should fail, if you wake that beast?"

"I think it's a guarantee the dragon would be woken. The question is whether the Company can kill the dragon," T'Challa says.

"And if they do, our defenses in the east will be strengthened," Gandalf argues.

"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf," Elrond says.

T'Challa sighs a bit, then notices something out of the corner of his eye. He looks up, and sees Bilbo standing on a ledge overlooking the path, with Thorin a few feet behind him. Hearing Elrond and Gandalf arguing about the dragon sickness that Thorin's grandfather and father faced, T'Challa starts to get a nagging feeling that the Company may not be a tight knit as he hoped.

"With or without our help, these dwarves will march on the mountain," Gandalf says as he and Elrond walk up towards a gazebo of sorts, T'Challa keeping close behind them, "They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not think that THorin Oakenshield feels he is answerable to anybody. Nor for that matter am I."

As they enter the gazebo, Elrond turns to Gandalf and says, "It is not me you must answer to." He then turns his head to direct Gandalf's attention.

T'Challa looks past Gandalf, and stops short. Ahead of them, at the edge of the pavilion, a tall Elven woman wearing a blue cloak turns to face them. Her beauty is breathtaking, and even catches T'Challa off guard.

"Lady Galadriel," Gandalf says in surprise.

"Mithrandir," Galadriel replies. She and Gandalf then exchange greetings in Sindarin, and she smiles at Gandalf.

Galadriel then looks at T'Challa and smiles. "Welcome, Black Panther," she says.

Though a little surprised that Galadriel knows his alias, he bows his head respectfully and replies, "It is my honor, Lady Galadriel."

"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you," Gandalf says.

In response, from off to the right, a deep voice replies, "He didn't. I did."

Both Gandalf and T'Challa turn towards the voice, and see a white dressed all in white, with a black staff with a white orb at the top. Gandalf bowed his head respectfully before answering, "Saruman."

"You've been busy of late, my friend," Saruman says. As he does, T'Challa feels a little uneasy. Something about Saruman's tone suggests he is not as humble or accepting as Gandalf.

The Council begins as Gandalf and Saruman sit down at the table. T'Challa and Elrond lean against some pillars, while Galadriel slowly walks around the pavilion, Saruman was hesitant to allow T'Challa to remain, but relented when told of the Avengers, and that T'Challa was a king.

Saruman had questioned T'Challa for a minute about the Avengers and their history. Secretly, he had hoped that T'Challa might tell him how to replicate some of their powers or abilities. However, it quickly became clear to him that T'Challa could not help him in that regard. So, instead, the topic turned to the original purpose for the Council being summoned.

"Tell me, Gandalf, did you think these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed?" Saruman asks.

"Unnoticed?" Gandalf asks in confusion before stating, "No. I'm simply doing what I judged to be right."

"The dragon has long been on your mind," Galadriel interrupts.

Gandalf looks at Galadriel and replies, "That is true, my lady. Smaug owes allegiance to no one, but if he should side with the enemy...a dragon could be used to terrible effect."

"What enemy?" Saruman asks before stating confidently, "Gandalf, the enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength."

Gandalf, however, leans forward and asks, "Does it not worry you that the last of the Dwarf rings should simply vanish along with its bearer? Of the Seven Dwarf rings, four were consumed by dragons. Two were taken by Sauron before he fell in Mordor. The fate of the last Dwarf ring remains unknown. The ring that was worn by Thrain."

"Without the ruling Ring of Power, the Seven are of no value to the enemy. To control the others, he needs the One. And that ring was lost long ago. It was swept out to sea by the waters of the Anduin," Saruman responds.

Now confused, T'Challa speaks up and asks, "Who is this Sauron? And what are these rings you speak of?"

Saruman looks annoyed at the interruption, but Elrond speaks up to answer T'Challa's question. "Sauron is the Dark Lord who rose to power thousands of years ago. In his quest to conquer Middle-Earth, he deceived the Elven-Smiths and helped them forge the Rings of Power. Three were given to the Elves, Seven to the Dwarves, and Nine to Men. But, in secret, he forged his own Ring, the One Ring to Rule them All. With its power and control over the other rings, Sauron almost conquered Middle-Earth. However, ina last attempt by Elves and Men to stop him, the Ring was taken from him, banishing Sauron's spirit. The Ring was lost in the river Anduin shortly after."

T'Challa nods slowly, digesting this information. As he does, Elrond turns to Gandalf and says, "I understand, Gandalf, but remember that for 400 years we have lived in peace. A hard-won, watchful peace."

"Are we? Are we at peace?" Gandalf challenges. He looks around at them all and says, "Trolls have come down from the mountains. They are raiding villages, destroying farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road."

"Hardly a prelude to war," Elrond says.

"Actually, that's exactly what it sounds like. It may not be the only possibility, but I'd say it's definitely the most likely one," T'Challa says.

"You are not a member of this council," Saruman starts to say, but Galadriel cuts him off with, "Let him speak."

"So far as I know, Trolls and Orcs have not acted like this for a long time. And with the power that's risen in Mirkwood, I would say you are back on the road to war," T'Challa says.

"What is this power you speak of?" Saruman demands.

"There is a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur. A sorcerer who can summon the dead," Gandalf explains.

"That's absurd. No such power exists in this world. This...Necromancer... is nothing more than a mortal man. A conjurer dabbling in black magic," Saruman says.

"And so I thought to. But...Radagast has seen-" Gandalf begins.

But, Saruman quickly cuts him off. "Radagast? Do not speak to me of Radagast the Brown. He is a foolish fellow," he says with disdain.

"You would dismiss something that is potentially a large risk just because of the source?" T'Challa asks skeptically.

"Let me tell you something about Radagast the Brown, Your Highness," Saruman says, almost mockingly, "He has an excessive consumption of mushrooms. They have addled his brain and yellowed his teeth."

"Yet should not the possible danger be enough to warrant further investigation?" T'Challa asks.

"Not without further proof," Saruman replies.

T'Challa narrows his eyes, now growing more suspicious of Saruman. As he does, he suddenly hears Galadriel's voice in his head, whispering, Peace, T'Challa. Saruman's arrogance is beyond the usual, indeed, but now is not the time to address it..

T'Challa's head snaps towards her, surprised to find she has telepathy. However, as he looks at her, her attention is on Gandalf. T'Challa surmises she must be having a telepathic conversation with him as well, because a moment later, Gandalf reaches below the table and pulls out something wrapped in some kind of leather.

"What is that?" Elrond asks as he steps forward.

"A relic of Mordor," Galadriel says in a tone that almost sounds a bit like fear.

Elrond pauses at that statement, then leans forward and unwraps the object, revealing it to be a dagger of a strange design. Just the sight of it sends a chill running down T'Challa's spine. The Wakandan king realizes instantly that there is something unnatural about this weapon.

The rest of the Council seems to be just as bothered by it. "A Morgul Blade," Elrond identifies the weapon.

"Made for the Witch-King of Angmar. And buried with him," Galadriel adds.

"Who is that?" T'Challa asks.

"Sauron's chief servant. A Ringwraith enslaved to Sauron's will, who destroyed an eitre kingdom of Men centuries ago. This Morgul Blade, a weapon that could turn its victim into a lesser wraith, was made for him," Gandalf says.

"When Angmar fell, the Men of the North took his body and all that he possessed and sealed it within the High Fells of Rhudaur. Deep within the rock they buried him. In a tomb so dark it would never come to light," Galadriel elaborates, clearly worried about the possibility that this Witch-King might have actually returned.

"This is not possible. A powerful spell lies upon those tombs. They cannot be opened," Elrond says in denial.

"Never say never," T'Challa adds in a low voice, his unease growing.

"What proof do we have that this weapon came from Angmar's grave?" Saruman asks.

"The only other explanation is that the Men who buried him somehow forgot or misplaced one of his Morgul Blades. Either way, this is a dangerous situation. And which explanation makes more sense?" T'Challa challenges, looking right at Saruman. The two stare each other down, and Saruman quickly realizes T'Challa is not someone who will just back down to him.

"Still, we have no proof. Rather than speculate, let us examine what we know. A single Orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen. A dagger from a bygone age has been found. And a human sorcerer who calls himself the Necromancer has taken up residence in a ruined fortress. It's not so very much after all," Saruman says arrogantly before looking right at Gandalf. "The question of this Dwarvish company however troubles me deeply. I'm not convinced Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest."

"You do not rule Middle-Earth. They do not need your permission," T'Challa says calmly.

Saruman glares sharply at T'Challa. "I do not need your opinion, Wakandan," he says.

T'Challa doesn't react. Before Saruman can do anything, the Council hears rapid footsteps approaching. They turn and see Steve running up to the pavilion. When he gets to the pavilion, he says, "Gandalf. Lord Elrond. The Dwarves are gone."

"What?" Gandalf asks.

"Bucky and I were training a bit before bed. We went back to try and find them, and they were gone," Steve explains.

Gandalf and T'Challa quickly excuse themselves from the Council and hurry to get ready to leave. After he finishes, Gandalf leaves briefly to have a quick chat with Galadriel.

The other three wait for him in one of Rivendell's main courtyards. As they do, Steve looks at T'Challa and asks, "What was that meeting about?"

"Discussing some of the things that have happened recently, such as the Orcs pursuing us and the Trolls coming down from the Ettenmoors. The head of the Council is the chief Wizard. Saruman. He's a rather arrogant individual, unlike Gandalf. He did not seem happy that I did not bend to his will and opinion," T'Challa explains.

"Is he gonna be a problem?" Steve asks.

"No. He is still a wizard. He is more like a corrupt politician than anything," T'Challa says.

"Still not happy about that, but I'll trust your judgement," Steve says. T'Challa nods in response.

A minute later, Gandalf comes hurrying into the courtyard. "Alright. We must go. We must catch up to them as soon as possible," Gandalf says. They all nod, and then hurry off.

As they are climbing the trail leading out of Rivendell, the one the Company most likely took, Bucky looks back at Rivendell. He felt a peace there that he hasn't felt since 1942. Maybe...this place would be better than Earth.


And, I'll end there.

I hope you liked this chapter. My original plot called for Steve to be the one in the Council, but after thinking about it, and getting several reviews requesting it, I decided to go with T'Challa. I hope you liked that I had T'Challa standing up to Saruman so much, because honestly, it's a little silly that in the scene in the movie, everybody kinda just let Saruman put down their opinions.

Now, the end of this chapter hinted at something I am considering. I may have Bucky stay behind in Middle-Earth. Still undecided, so let me know your thoughts on the matter.

Next chapter should be up soon.