{Chapter Four}
Siladhiel growled low in her throat as she approaches the study of Elrond upon hearing that Frodo had arrived injured to Rivendell. She was furious with her old friends for failing to protect the hobbit and involving him in this matter. Not one hobbit but four had traveled with the One Ring. She burst through the door glaring at Gandalf for making a mess of things as always.
"Explain this to me" She demanded as the Queen she was daring them to tell her to calm down
Gandalf and Elrond explained the situation in detail to her. She listened as she learned that Aragorn was sent to escort them to Rivendell and how Frodo was injured with a Nazgul weapon. Her heart wept at the information knowing that the wound would never fully heal. She calmed slightly worrying over Gandalf upon learning of Saruman's betrayal.
"Are you well?" She questioned softly, and Gandalf smiled as she lay a hand on his shoulder in comfort "Frodo is alive, but we still have the matter of the Ring to discuss"
"For him to have come so far still bearing the Ring. The hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil" Elrond had commented
"It is a burden he should never have to had to bear. We can ask no more of Frodo." Gandalf said seriously as Siladhiel leaned on the window seal having seen that Frodo quite possibly might be the only option in the end, her powers she didn't trust and therefore often didn't allow her a full picture
"Gandalf, the enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are massing in the east. His eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin." Elrond says seriously
"His treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft, Saruman has crossed Orc with Goblin Men. he is breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in Sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring." Gandalf explains causing Elrond to turn away and Siladhiel to tense slightly
"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves. We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard, the ring cannot stay here." Elrond said seriously turning towards Siladhiel watching the arrival of the members of the council
"This peril belongs to all Middle earth. They must decide how to end it. Not just for themselves but for those who come after." Elrond says softly "The time of the Elves is over. My people are leaving these shores."
"Elrond speaks the truth; many elves have arrived in Lindon to depart from my shores. I have bid farewell to many in these last years as they are called home. Even my vast force is unable to take on Mordor and Isengard from this distance. This will not be like the Alliance, it cannot be" Siladhiel explains seriously knowing that she would not risk her kingdom
"Who will you look to when we have gone? The dwarves? They hide in their mountains seeking riches. They care nothing for the troubles of others" Elrond commented seriously as Siladhiel wondered what her father would do in this situation before pushing aside the slight pain she still felt over his lose all those years before
"It is in Men that we must place our hope" Gandalf said seriously as Siladhiel immediately thought of the Ranger in hiding
"Men? Men are weak. The race of Men is failing. The blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of men the Ring survives." Elrond states in discuss as both Siladhiel and him remember the past when this all could have ended
"I was there, Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago, when Isildur took the ring. I was there the day the strength of Men failed. I let Isildur into the heart of Mount Doom, where the ring was forged: the one place it could be destroyed. It should have ended that day, but evil could endure. Isildur kept the Ring and the line of Kings was broken. There's no strength left in the world of Men. They're scattered, divided, leaderless" Elrond said seriously as Siladhiel flinched at the harsh description of that day, she had been so lost to despair that she allowed this to happen
"There is one who could unite them, one who could reclaim the thrown of Gondor" Gandalf said speaking of Aragorn
"He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile" Elrond said honestly while Siladhiel looked at her old friend seriously
"Fate is not something we choose, all of us have a destiny we must face. Aragorn will soon have to choose his" Siladhiel said seriously before walking from the room passing Arwen and Aragorn along the way knowing that Arwen was talking with him about the very thing she was just speaking with Elrond about, fate was something no one could escape.
~The Next Day~
Siladhiel slipped into the council unseen remaining hooded and away from direct sight. She did not wish for those to know that she was here. Elrond looked at her and nodded to her in greeting before turning to address the council. Siladhiel scanned the room surprised to see so many had attended this council, she would keep her eyes open for threats. The Ring could not be trusted.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here 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 to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the ring, Frodo." Elrond commanded as all turn towards the little hobbit
Frodo steps forward and moves towards a stone Plinth. He places the ring on the plinth and returns to his seat. Siladhiel's heart hurts for the hobbit seeing the relief he felt letting go of the ring. She kept her eyes watchful as the gasps and shock takes hold of the room.
"It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, held 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!" Boromir says standing up causing Siladhiel to frown at him, this is what had become of the once great kingdom?
"You cannot wield it. None of us can. The one ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master." Aragorn states standing up causing Boromir turns and looks at Strider coldly
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir questioned turning when Aragorn didn't say anything to his defense, yet another stood taking her by surprise
"This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance" Legolas says to the defense of his friend and Siladhiel looks at Aragorn in sorrow knowing that he did not wish that to be known
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir says in disbelief
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas says as Aragorn stands placing a hand on his friend's shoulder
"Sit down, Legolas" Aragorn commanded his friend as Boromir states that Gondor needs no king
"Aragorn is right, we cannot use it." Gandalf says seriously drawing the meeting back to the matter at hand
"You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed" Elrond commands causing Gimli to stand quickly
"Then, what are we waiting for?" Gimli stated preparing to charge
Siladhiel moves quicker than any other can see and halts his hand. She holds it softly as he looks at her cloaked and unseen features in confusion. She did not want the Ring to awaken by the act of the dwarf or did she wish to feel the taint awaken again.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess." Elrond speaks out as Siladhiel releases Gimli returning to the corner, but all eyes remained on her not knowing who she was or even that she was a female
"The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom; only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this." Elrond instructs causing dread to course through the room before panic
Siladhiel's eyes remained only on Frodo sensing that he was at center of this. She hated fate for bringing a peaceful hobbit into such a dark destiny, but she could see it around him. His fate was tied to the Ring as hers was. She was aware of all the shouting and angering as Frodo stood suddenly.
"I will take it. I will take it, I will take the Ring to Mordor" Frodo said getting louder as he spoke "Though I do not know the way"
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf pledges to the little hobbit
"If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." Aragorn vows kneeling before Frodo "you have my sword."
Siladhiel watches as Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir follow suite vowing to provide aid in the quest. She can't help but smile as the hobbits reveal themselves stating they will be going as well. It was then that Elrond's eyes found Siladhiel's knowingly causing her to nod in confirmation, she will assist this quest.
"Ten companions so be it. You shall be the "Fellowship of the ring" Elrond said seriously as the Hobbit brought the tense actions
"Great, where are we going?" Pippin questioned causing Siladhiel to smile before turning away
"Who is the Tenth Member?" Gimli questioned looking around counting the Members causing Elrond, Aragorn, and Gandalf to glance at one another with amused smiles
~Later that night~
"Lindon soldiers are stationed on the route to my Kingdom to provide safe passage for those who travel" Siladhiel commented to Elrond "Travel through my lands will remain safe as this darkness grows"
"My thanks for providing aide to my people" Elrond commented, and she smiled softly
"They are my people too after all, I may not enforce my rule but all in my lands know that I will protect them fiercely even if I have no wish for my titles" Siladhiel commented seriously "Cirdan has done well in running the kingdom and is prepared if I send a summons for war"
"I shall remain until the end, though I fear for the wellbeing of my daughter" Elrond commented as Siladhiel placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort "I do not know how your father allowed you to be a warrior"
"You know as well as I, that I was persistent in my desire to be a warrior" Siladhiel commented with a smile before looking off into the distance "I believe my father knew my fate, as did my mother"
"I must bid you rest; my wife is awaiting me" Elrond commented as Siladhiel smiled at the sight of him departing before heading to the garden where she found Frodo
"I do not believe we have been introduced properly Frodo, I am Quenya. I am the tenth member of your fellowship" Siladhiel commented sitting down next to him "What is it that wears on your heart young hobbit?"
"I am scared of the Ring" Frodo said honestly looking at the most beautiful being he had ever seen and feeling strangely comforted in her presence
"As you should be, the ring is the embodiment of evil. It will corrupt all near it" Siladhiel commented honestly
"Is it safe then to travel in this group? I can hear it speaking to the others" Frodo commented seriously glancing around
"Do not fear for them, they are all strong in heart" Siladhiel said placing a hand on his shoulder "And I will not be corrupted by it"
"How do you know?" Frodo questioned staring at her
"My fate is tied to the Ring as yours is, my purpose has been the destruction of Sauron and this ring for as long as I could remember. I have lost much in this purpose and I will see this quest through. I will not fail now, I will not fail you Frodo" Siladhiel commented seriously before kneeling before him causing him to look directly into her purple eyes, he did not know elves had purple eyes
"I am many things Frodo and hold many skills, all of which I pledge to you. I will see you home Frodo" Siladhiel said seriously aware of the eyes watching her "I will see you return to the peaceful shire"
Frodo broke down in tears sobbing loudly as Siladhiel held him close knowing the weight of his burden was heavy upon his shoulders. She wanted Sauron dead and the Ring destroyed, but most of all she wanted her people safe and that included Frodo. In the distance, Aragorn watched knowing his old friend would stop at nothing to protect Frodo, the hobbits had always been dear to her heart.
~The Next Day~
Siladhiel sat at the table eating an apple next to Gandalf as Elrond approached the Hobbits. She knew that by now Cirdan would have sent the confirmation that the Shire's protection had departed as well. She had ordered it upon her arrival in Rivendell and learning of the hobbits being involved with the Ring. It the least she could do for her people.
"High Queen of Nolder and Queen of Lindon Siladhiel has assigned a unit of her army to protect the shire during your journey" Elrond stated causing Aragorn and Gandalf to look at her with a smile of thanks
"Why would the Queen provide such assistance?" Boromir questioned in confusion "Does she have nothing better than to do?"
"The High Queen of Nolder and Lindon has long been a great ally to many nations, not holding the same biases as many of the other elf kingdoms. The Shire and even Rivendell are under her rule, she protects those of her Kingdom and lands fiercely. Even now, her army protect throughout the lands and borders to ensure safe travel" Gandalf explained seriously in Siladhiel's defense
"I heard tales of her being unseen, that she is like a ghost even in her own kingdom" Gimli commented seriously "That few know her face"
"My father met her once long ago. He stated that he was so stunned by her beauty that he found himself unable to speak and that she glowed with the light of the Vala. He still says that she is the most beautiful being he had ever met, and none would ever compare to her" Boromir commented before continuing to eat as Siladhiel fought the urge to chuckle
"Indeed, she has been known to become a beacon in battle and tales of old often describe her as a warrior with light that shines outward to banish any darkness. She is beautiful beyond comparison to any in this world, yet it is her true self that holds the greatest Beauty" Gandalf explained with a smile as she blushed slightly from the compliment
She was thankful for her ability to control her "glow" as others called her that was from her Valar nature. It was unsafe to travel outside her kingdom or show her purity during these dark times. She knew that the time would come for the true Queen to emerge one day. She concealed her true nature long ago and traveled completely cloaked to prevent others from staring.
Siladhiel listened to the conversation around her being introduced to those of the fellowship. Of course, they knew her as Quenya instead of her true name. After the anger of her being a woman and an elf settled down, the fellowship moved on to discuss their plans for their quest. It would be a long road and one that was dangerous, preparation was needed. She had won over many of the members with her useful insights for the preparations and of the routes they were discussing, after all she had spent many years traveling these lands.
She took great interest in her new traveling companions during the time she spent near them in the month in Rivendell. She adored the four hobbits as assisted in training them with short swords along with Boromir. Each of them had instilled the deep desire to protect them in her. Though, it was Legolas that she often found herself near. He was unused to seeing a warrior Elleth and one that had traveled as much as she had. He took great interest in the tales of her travels.
Still, as time grew so did the Darkness await them as it sensed their intentions. Siladhiel could feel the ring wanting to be reunited with its master. She would not let that happen.