Chapter Two~The Fellowship
Rivendell was filled with the sound of music, as it always was. But, it was a different kind of music, both ethereal and corporeal at the same time. The sing of strings accompanied by a voice, strong, but feminine. Both Men and Elves stopped in awe of it. Marina sat on a elegantly carved chair, a bow dancing over the strings of a violin. Beside her, a large dog lay dozing in the summer sunshine. Having grown from the thin girl who was all knees and elbows, Marina could pass for an elf skin glowed in the late afternoon light, a gown of breezy white material clung to her body like a second skin before flowing out, accentuating all the right places on a woman. The only things that set her apart were her obvious lack of pointed ears, and her long, fiery-gold hair. It was worn in the typical Elvish fashion, loose save for two braids holding it away from her face.
Her eyes were closed, despite not needing them for sight. If anyone were to ask her, she would say that it was so she could see the music. With her eyes closed, she could see the notes, the beats, and the rhythm of the tune she played. They came to her as lights, dancing in a complicated pattern behind her eyelids, in swirling colors that hypnotized her. This is what she saw now...noise. Everything made a sound. Here in Rivendell, every noise was soft and musical, and the visitors that stood to her right were clanging and noisy, even in their silence. She finished her song with one last, long, haunting note. It hung in the air for a moment, so no one noticed the single tear the crept its way down her neck.
"Spectacular," came a foreign voice. "I have never, in my life, heard such music." Whoever it was moved forward. Rina turned toward the sound, sightless eyes stopping the Man in his tracks. They were as striking as the rest of her, a distinct hazel color, like amber towards the center, and silvery-green birch leaves outwards, all surrounded by a thick ring of dark color separating her iris from the whites. And they seemed to stare right into the soul of the unfortunate Man who had broken her spell. "Forgive me, my lady. My men and I were passing by, and were suddenly struck by the beauty in your music. Pray, what is your name?"
She didn't answer him for a long moment, simply holding him with her eyes. He was sure she was analyzing him to his very core. "I am Marina."
He let out a breath, "Lady Marina, a pleasure." He held out his hand to her. When she did not take it, he looked at her oddly. "It is common courtesy to take a man's hand when he offers it."
She started, suddenly not as haunting as before. Simply shy and blushing. "Forgive me."
"Our lovely Marina seeks forgiveness when she has done nothing wrong." Elrond swept in, silent as usual. "She meant no offence, Lord Boromir, she simply did not see you."
"See me? She was looking right at me."
Standing with a bit of a wobble, she bowed her head, "What my lord, Elrond, means to say, is that I am blind, my lord. I apologize if my gaze unnerved you...it seems to have that effect on many who meet me for the first time. I meant no offence."
"None taken, my lady. If I may ask, how did you learn to play if you cannot see to read music?"
A small chuckle escaped her rosy mouth, "The music speaks to me. I learn by ear, or make something up as I go. I have a good memory for the notes."
"Interesting. I do believe my father would be well pleased to hear you play one day. The Steward of Gondor, Denethor."
"Perhaps, one day, Boromir," Elrond cut in, "But for now, we have a meeting to attend. Will you join us, dear?" He offered his arm to her, which she could feel against her shoulder.
"Of course. How could I pass up a chance to attend a secret meeting of the four races of Middle Earth." She whistled behind her, and the shaggy grey dog jumped up to follow. He came to stand beside her, coming up nearly to her hip. Rina placed one hand on his head as they walked through the halls to a terrace overlooking the river. Elrond sat her down in the chair beside his.
Most of the meeting was quiet, until a heated argument arose about the fate of the ring that supposedly sat on a pedestal in the middle of the circle. Rina was growing more and more agitated by the second, as she could feel the power emanating from the gold band.
"Let us be done with it then." A gruff voice quipped, and the sound of metal on stone, and a small explosion caused Rina to cry out, seeing a violent flash of light. Whoever the voice belonged to was thrown onto his back from the force of the energy that hit everyone. Elrond looked at Rina with concern, worried at the look of pain on her face.
"There is only one way to destroy the One Ring. It must be cast into the fire of Mount Doom from whence it came." He placed a hand on his charge, and felt her quivering.
The arguing intensified, causing the dog at the young woman's feet to raise her hackles. It continued this way for a few moments, only to be silenced by a soft voice across the way.
"I will take the ring to Mordor. Only...I do not know the way."
A familiar scent washed over her as her old friend Aragorn went to the boy who had spoken. "You have my sword."
"And my bow," Prince Legolas sounded.
Not to be outdone, the Dwarf (as she found out from Elrond, the one who had tried to destroy the ring with his axe), growled, "And my axe."
"Wait!" She stood up, she could feel all eyes turn to her. "Is anyone else not ok with the idea of sending a child into the darkest part of Middle Earth, the birthplace of evil?"
"I'm not a child! I'm over 60 years old."
"A Hobbit, dear Rina. Frodo Baggins of the Shire." Gandalf told her.
"Ah, a Hobbit. Hearty folk, silent as the night and easily unseen." Using her walking stick (a new one, since she had long outgrown the old one), she made sure not to trip over any feet. "Then, little one, you shall have my song as well." Her statement was met with much outrage. The wild is no place for a woman. What good is a blind woman out there? How would you fight? You would be a burden to the rest. From many came such words. But, she noticed that those who really mattered said nothing. Elrond smiled with pride, Gandalf as well, though he was a bit unsure. Aragorn simply threw an arm around her shoulders. "I am just as capable as any. More so than a Hobbit with no training with a weapon." They all quieted.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is the will of the Council..." Boromir sounded unsure of himself, "Then Gondor will see it done."
"Hold on!" Another small voice, deeper and more worrisome than the one called Frodo. "Mr. Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me." A stubborn one. But then, Hobbits were well known for their loyalty to kin.
"No, indeed. It seems hardly possible to separate you two, even when he is summoned to a secret council meeting and you are not." There was a smile in his voice, he was amused.
"Wait! We're going, too!" Two more sets of bare feet running over the stone floor. "Besides, you need people of intelligence for this sort of mission...quest...thing." One said proudly.
The other whispered to him, "Well that rules you out, Pip."
"Ten companions. Very well, you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
Rina could feel the pride from her new companions, like a light spring rain.
"Excellent. Where are we going?" It broke, the one they called Pip had ruined the moment. Rina laughed at the hilarity of it.
"I suggest we go pack our things. Then perhaps dinner, and a nice long rest. We will be leaving at first light."
"A sound suggestion, Gandalf. I shall have the kitchens begin preparations. Marina?" She made her way to his voice, once again taking his arm and letting him lead her...not that she needed it. "That was an extremely foolish this you did."
"But, you approve?"
"Indeed. I think you will be the one that holds them together when things get difficult for them. You are a shining light to all that behold you. And in the darkness, that light is indispensable. Yes, I think it is a very good thing you volunteered to go with them. Now, up to your room, I will send Arwen to help you pack."
"I can pack my things fine by myself, my lord."
"I know you can. However, this will be the last time she or I will see you for a long while, I think. She will want to spend some time with you before you leave."
"I understand. I will miss you both very much."
"As we will you." He embraced her quickly, "Now, go pack."
Rina tilted her head in a bow and took hold of the dog's scruff.