Part 2 of chapter 6. Enjoy! ^_^ Oh yeah and I probably should mention this before I forget, but due to how far I've gotten in the Fairy Tail manga now I've decide I'm gonna move up the arc from where I first had it set after just to avoid any confusion.

Disclaimer: Must I continue to explain this?


Chapter 6 part 2 The Council of Elrond

Gandalf led them into a study in one of the carven oak halls of Elrond's house. The dark haired, pointy eared noble poured glasses of wine for Erza and Gray, while Natsu and Lucy stood by Strider...who was staring at a pedestal with a broken sword in pieces.

"Frodo the hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience so far to the Ring's evil..." Elrond mused; Gandalf sighed and sipped his goblet of wine. "We can ask no more of Frodo Baggins, he's done well to get this far." Gandalf looked to the horizon as Elrond frowned, "Gandalf, the Ring cannot stay here...my people are leaving Middle Earth for other shores...and from what you tell us Saruman has betrayed us."

"It is worse than we feared," Gandalf turned to Erza and Gray, two of the more calm-headed individuals in Team Natsu in Gandalf's opinion. "Saruman has begun breeding a new breed of orc by crossing goblins and men. Saruman is creating Sauron's army as we speak."

Elrond nearly choked on his wine, "This is insanity, the ring cannot stay in Rivendell! We do not have the strength to overcome the power of Mordor AND Isengard!"

The Fairy Tail wizards had been silently watching and listening, until Erza stepped in to say something before this could get out of hand.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume you wish to have something done about it immediately, am I right?" the Titania pointed out simply. She also noticed Gray had clenched his fists at the mention of Saruman, and had to assume the ice wizard must have had some sort of encounter with him somewhere.

"And for his sake, he better not have gone and found a way to our world as well to mess with our guild," Gray muttered, which thankfully went unnoticed by Elrond and Gandalf.

Erza blinked. So that was what happened, she thought, though she figured she would have to ask the ice wizard about that later.


Meanwhile in the chamber, Strider was currently fighting off questioning stares from Happy and Carla and Natsu. "Hey are you...related to this guy?" Happy pointed to a painting of Isildur.

Strider sighed, "Yes...I am Isildur's heir...I suppose I took the name Strider and abandoned the royal lineage due to the uhm...pressure and expectations." Strider gazed across the way to the shattered sword, and the beautiful Arwen...which he obviously had intimate feelings for.

"WHAA-!" Happy exclaimed in complete shock, while Natsu was just as dumbstruck standing there gaping at Strider. Carla was taken by surprise as well at Strider's revelation, though she was a bit more refined about it than Natsu and Happy were.

"Whoa! No way, man, I never would have guessed!" Natsu exclaimed, still completely dumbstruck.

"Yeah, somehow I don't think you would have been able to guess all of that anyway, Natsu," Lucy told him, though she was just as equally as shocked as he was. "But still, that is a bit of shocker there." Of course she didn't want to pry into it, so instead she just kept her comments to herself for the time being. Even Wendy didn't want to seem rude by asking too many questions about it.


Elrond sighed, "Who must we turn to? If not the hobbits? The dwarves? They hide in their holes...mining riches and caring nothing for the troubles of the world. My people are leaving for the Grey Havens...that leaves no one but-"

Gandalf interrupted, "It is in the world of men...we must turn. The heir of Isildur still lives..." Elrond scoffed as they saw a man with a wooden shield and wearing expensive furs rode in on a horse. "Men? Men are weak...I was there Gandalf...4,000 years ago...when Isildur took the ring for himself...I was there when mankind failed."

"Hold on a minute. That seems a bit selfish, don't you think?" Gray suddenly blurted out.

"Gray," Erza reprimanded.

"Sorry, but judging people like that all because of one guy's mistake just doesn't sit well with me," Gray stated bluntly.

Erza sighed. "Excuse us for just one moment," she said to Elrond, before dragging Gray off to the other end of the room where she began reprimanding him for that outburst. "This isn't our world, Gray, so we really have no right to question what goes on here or the events that occurred in the past here. Got that?"

"Well yeah, but...I-I mean, yes ma'am!" Gray quickly amended after she shot him a stern look, not wanting to argue it out any further now for fear of invoking the wrath of Titania -or get whacked on the head with Gandalf's staff.

"Good," Erza sternly told him.


Strider nodded, "My true name is Aragorn...nice to finally properly introduce myself." He bowed slightly.

Lucy politely inclined her head in reply. "Nice to officially meet you."

"Man, that's kinda similar to Mystogan back in our world," Natsu suddenly stated.

"Yeah, but it was slightly different with Mystogan remember?" Wendy pointed out to him. "Because he ended up turning out to be the Edolas counterpart of Jellal, which was why he went always went by Mystogan as a member of Fairy Tail."

"But it's still at least a bit similar, though, with the whole going by a different name thing," Natsu protested.


Elrond frowned at Gray's outburst, before sighing. "It matters not, the fate of this world has already been decided...the time of the Elves is over...it is time for the other races of Middle Earth...to shape our future." Elrond's eyebrow twitched at the sound of a loud boarish laugh eliciting from a short wide-shouldered man with a bushy beard down below in the courtyard.

Erza and Gray had rejoined the conversation at that moment, and Gray ended up apologizing to Elrond for his rude outburst.

"Sorry, I was outta line there," the ice wizard apologized. "I spoke out when I should have just kept my mouth shut, and my comments to myself. But I promise it won't happen again."

Gandalf then whacked him on the head with his staff. "See to it that you remember that next time, Gray Fullbuster," he said sternly, before whacking him again. "And what did I say about keeping that habit of yours under control?"

"Geez, what the heck, old m...Not again!" Gray exclaimed, looking down to realize he was in his underwear again.

Gandalf then whacked him a third time. "And another to ensure you remember not to talk back to your elders. You and Natsu both need to learn that."

Elrond sighed. "Indeed, that kind of intolerance is not tolerated within Rivendell," he agreed, before going back to the original topic of discussion. "We know that the Ring must be destroyed, but our entire world shares this burden...for if Sauron prevails then we shall all suffer. So it is only right that emissaries from all races here...hobbits, dwarves, elves and men...and since you have been so kind as to help us...we have invited you and your friends as well to join this council." Elrond said.

"We must decide...who is to carry the ring and bear its evil weight to Mt. Doom...who shall be able to resist its pull and throw it into the lava to destroy it forever." Gandalf said frowning.

"We'd be honored to be a part of this council," Erza said in reply to Elrond.

"And hopefully dragon breath will finally be convinced that his flames won't even be powerful enough to burn it," Gray added.

"Though it probably would be amusing to let him try," Erza added as an afterthought.


Aragorn meanwhile, was speaking to Arwen...in a very romantic way...while Natsu and Happy spied on them with Lucy and Wendy in the background with Carla.

"He loooooooooooves her!" Happy said, his paws over his mouth to stifle his giggling while Natsu was also snickering at the scene.

"Oh, honestly!" Carla huffed near Lucy and Wendy. "Must they behave so immaturely?" She was referring to Natsu and Happy, of course, with that statement.


Soon there was a grand dinner prepared in the feast hall for Rivendell's many guests. Bilbo spotted Gloin, the latter of which embraced Bilbo and practically picked him off the floor in a bear hug. "Bilbo! I haven't seen you in ages, laddie! How've you been? Finally ventured out of Bag-End again, eh? Off on another adventure?" Gloin put the laughing hobbit down. Bilbo brushed himself off with a chuckle and clapped his hand on Frodo's shoulder and gestured to Team Natsu. "Frodo, everyone...this is Gloin. He was one of the group who I originally assisted with the Erebor quest with Smaug and all that."

Gloin yanked Gimli, who had snatched a turkey leg and was currently feasting on it, in to show him off. "This is my son: Gimli! Remember me telling you all about Bilbo, Gimli?! You were so enthralled with him and the Quest for Erebor as a child!"

Gimli's eyes boggled, "My father talks often of you Mr. Baggins, I have waited a long time to meet you."

The Fairy Tail wizards then stepped forward and each introduced themselves to the two dwarves that Bilbo was acquainted with.

"Hi, I'm Lucy Heartfilia," Lucy said to Gloin and Gimli. "And, before you ask, it's kind of a long story, but my friends and I aren't really from Middle Earth."

"We're wizards from...well, from another dimension," Erza stated hesitantly, as she was unsure of how to go about explaining it. "I'm Erza Scarlet. Or if you so choose, you may also refer to me as Titania or the Scarlet Knight."

"Oh yeah, thanks for remindin' me!" Natsu suddenly said. "Hey Erza, I've been meaning to ask about how you became known as the Scarlet Knight here."

"Oh, that," Erza replied. "You mean it wasn't obvious?" She motioned towards her armor that she was currently wearing, which was just her regular Hearts Kreuz armor.

"Right, I get it, because of how most knights usually wear armor," Gray said, smirking. "And the 'Scarlet' part isn't that hard to figure out." He was referring to her last name as well as her scarlet hair, of course.

The others all then introduced themselves to Gloin and Gimli as well: "Natsu Dragneel." "Happy." "Gray Fullbuster." "Wendy Marvell." "Carla."

They were also introduced to Legolas, who was the son of Thranduil the Wood Elf King who Lucy read about in Bilbo's still unfinished book. Eventually large trays and dishes of food were brought out to the long table and the feast began. Soon everyone had eaten and drank their fill and later that night they all gathered around a round stone table to begin the council.

Elrond introduced everyone here: Boromir from Gondor, Aragorn or Strider as he was often called, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Legolas of Mirkwood. Elrond spoke: "We now know the reason we are all here: Half of Sauron's consciousness lies within this Ring." Elrond had Frodo bring the ring and place it in the center of the table, the small hobbit sat down next to Happy and Erza...he kept staring at the thing.

After the ring had been set down on the pedestal, that's when it began reaching out into the minds of everyone that was present with tempting thoughts. The members of Team Natsu were no exception, as it decided to start with one of the weaker more vulnerable minds first. Happy the Exceed, Sauron's voice whispered to him from within the ring.

Happy blinked. "Huh? Aaaaaaaahhhhh! Erza, save me! There's a scary voice in my head using telepathy on me!" he screamed in pure terror, as he was clinging to the Titania for dear life.

Erza sighed. "Happy, stop it. You're causing a scene." She grabbed him by the tail to pull him off of her, as everyone had indeed begun staring at them.

Happy,the voice from the ring continued to whisper. I can guarantee you a lifetime supply of fish, all you have to do is go up and take it.

Fish? Happy thought, but then quickly shook his head to clear it of all temptation. No, I must be strong. Must...resist... Suddenly his imagination began to run wild, as the ring had somehow become a juicy fish right in front of him, enough to make him sigh dreamily and start drooling. "Mmm...fish..."

"For goodness sake, Happy, you stop that foolish daydreaming at once! You're being disruptive!" Carla firmly reprimanded him, just as she suddenly heard something whispering to her as well. Carla the Exceed, use my power and I can give you complete control over your visions.She suddenly froze in pure terror as she suddenly saw what looked like a huge eye that was wreathed in flames, as she was now trembling in fear at the very sight of it.

"Carla, are you alright?" Wendy asked her. Just then, she suddenly heard a voice whispering to her as well that suddenly made her squeak in fear. And you, Sky Dragon Wendy Marvell, you lack confidence in yourself and your abilities. But the power to overcome that is sitting right before you. Wendy allowed her gaze to drift towards the ring before suddenly shaking that thought from her mind. No, I couldn't. It just wouldn't be right, she fought back. Foolish little girl, it is the only way you will become stronger. The power to do so is just right there, all you have to do is go up and take it. NO! Wendy mentally screamed back. I won't succumb to dark temptations that easily! You can't make me! We shall see now, won't we? the voice said in a way that was mocking her for resisting. You and your friends can't resist forever, I will succeed in breaking all of you other-worldly wizards. You may be only a child, Sky Maiden, but even children break eventually. Don't count on it! We're all a lot stronger than you think we are! The voice in her head gave a cruel chuckle at that. Again, we shall see.

Lucy, Erza, Gray, and Natsu were all suddenly hearing the same voice in their own heads as well. Lady Lucy Heartfilia, the voice said, using her full title as a Heartfilia. Your desire is to always be able to pay your rent on time. I can give you a lifetime supply of money, perhaps even enough money for you to move back into the mansion you grew up in. No! I ran away from that life because I wanted nothing to do with it, or the way my dad always used his money to try to control me! Sure it would be nice to always have enough money to be able to continue to pay my rent on time for an entire lifetime. But as I once told my dad when I went to confront him after Phantom Lord attacked our guild, money can buy anything BUT happiness! You're quite a stubborn one with that sharp tongue of yours, the voice chuckled. But has it ever occurred to you that your father may have been doing you a favor that day? And yet a lady of your status is still choosing to be a part of that guild of ruffians when you could go back to living like a princess. Because I love being a part of Fairy Tail, and I love all of my friends there! What more could I ever ask for than that? The voice chuckled again, knowing it wouldn't give up until it succeeded in finally breaking her, in breaking all of them. It moved on to the next target.

Erza Scarlet, the girl who was taken from her home as a child to be forced to work as a slave in Tower of Heaven. Erza looked suddenly startled as the voice had entered her head, as well as how it knew all that about her. You were unable to save your precious friend back then, weren't you? Jellal... Yes, he was an easy target for the darkness to prey on and he gave in to his hatred of those who kept him a slave and succumbed to darkness quite quickly. If only you were strong enough to save him then, and you all would have been able to escape together. No, stop it! Jellal is no longer under Zeref's influence! He's not like that anymore! Even so, your friends here right now are all about to give in to their temptations. I can give you all the power you need to prevent that from happening. Act quickly, one of your friends here has a dark side of his own that I think will be the easiest to persuade. Erza suddenly looked shocked. Not Gray! You leave him alone! True he may have a bit of a dark side to him because of his past, but his will is still strong enough to resist any form of darkness! We shall see about that. There is one thing that will succeed in making him break, and the ice boy himself knows it. If you wish to save him in time, to save all of your friends in time, there is only one option. Surrender your will to me and use my power, only then can you protect your friends from succumbing to their dark temptations. Erza found herself gazing towards the ring, then at each of her friends. Was it really true? Were they already giving in to their dark temptations? No, she couldn't allow herself to assume that. The voice had to be coming from the ring toying with her mind to get her to think that, perhaps her friends were only still trying to fight back against it. Then again, she knew Gray's strong desire to destroy the demon END could prove to be a problem there, as well as his past involving Deliora. But she also knew that he also had a strong will to resist as well. What will you do, Titania? Will you stand by helplessly as your friends begin to turn on each other for power and be powerless to protect them in time, like how you were powerless to save Jellal from giving in to his darkness? No, stop it! Only you yourself can stop it, you need only to take the power for yourself. Only then will you be strong enough to save all of them.

Natsu, meanwhile, was also having his own inner mind-battle with the whispering voice from the ring as well. Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander of Fairy Tail. You desire to see your father, the Fire Dragon King Igneel again, I can bestow upon you all the power you need to reunite with him. Thanks, but you probably didn't know that Igneel was killed fighting against Acnologia. The voice chuckled in his mind. Foolish boy, Igneel still lives. Natsu suddenly had a look of shock and surprise on his face. But how? I watched it happen. Igneel died. Why not find out yourself after you both are reunited? I can make that happen, all you have to do is take it for yourself.

Gray Fullbuster, the voice then spoke to the ice wizard next. Gray blinked. Wha-? You've got quite a dark past, don't you? A past involving a certain demon that killed both of your parents...you know of the demon I'm speaking of. Gray suddenly looked fearful at that. Deliora...But I no longer have to fear him, because Ur gave her life by using Iced Shell to seal him away. Yes, an act caused by your own foolishness to go out and challenge the demon when it was way beyond your power to defeat- Look, whoever you are, I don't need anyone reminding me of the past! So just shut up and get outta my head already! What if I could offer you power, enough to destroy another demon that you've been searching for? A demon you know as END. Gray suddenly became interested for only a split second, before suddenly shaking the thought from his mind. You're right, I will destroy END. But if I succumb to darkness by doing so, I wouldn't be able to face my dad. Oh how sweet...doing what dear old daddy tells you, are we? I didn't realize that ice boy was such a daddy's little boy. Gray glared as the voice in his head was now mocking him. You know what? You don't know anything about me, so shut up! And I hate when people call me 'ice boy'! The voice chuckled. Oh I've been learning all I can about you and your friends ever since you first landed in Middle Earth. Act on your dark side, ice boy, and accept the power I am offering. It is the only way you will ever be able to defeat END. Quit MESSING with me! Gray suddenly lashed out against the voice, unleashing a blast of ice that sent the ring flying from the pedestal as his way of trying to resist. All eyes were suddenly upon him now, looking suspicious of his disruptive action. Though his friends were all looking at him with concern and worry. "I'm sorry, I just...I need a moment," Gray said coolly, as he then just got up and left.


Gandalf, out of concern, got up and followed him. "Would you care to explain what that was about?" he asked after he had caught up with the ice wizard.

Gray spun around, startled that the old wizard had caught up to him so quickly. "It's nothing," he lied while quickly looking away from the old wizard.

"I hardly believe that whatever happened there was just 'nothing', as you put it," Gandalf told him. "So indulge me."

"Look, it's not like you would understand anyway! So what's the point?" Gray shot back.

But Gandalf could clearly tell that something was upsetting him to the point of completely breaking down, so he pressed the matter further. "Tell me anyway," he replied calmly.

"I just think you would all be better off without me here," Gray stated simply, though Gandalf pressed him to elaborate on that.

"And just why would think that of yourself?" Though the old wizard had a pretty good idea as to why the ice wizard would just come out and say something like that, since he knew this wasn't like him at all to go and doubt himself like that during the time Gandalf had gotten to know him since coming across him and his friends back in the Shire.

"I...well...it's complicated," Gray hesitantly started to say, though Gandalf nodded to urge him to go on. Gray sighed. "I've got a dark side, alright!" he shouted, finally reaching his breaking point as he just broke down sobbing uncontrollably as he was also trembling in fear, not caring at the moment if every elf in Rivendell heard him right now. "And the thought of acting out on it and doing something rash that would betray my friends...it just...it terrifies me! There I said it! Happy now?!"

"There now, was that so hard?" Gandalf reached out and pulled the distraught boy towards him for an embrace, and running a hand through his dark spiky hair, allowing him his shoulder to cry on. The scene was almost like that of a grandfather consoling and comforting his grandson. "I won't ask you to elaborate on it further, but listen to me Gray, nobody is going to judge you for having this dark side. I know your friends don't. And it's alright to admit things that are troubling you like this, instead of always trying to avoid it all together. The same applies to Natsu as well. And Gray, there is nothing wrong with having a dark side, as there are lots of others of the race of Men who do as well. But what's important is that you also have a strong will to resist the temptations of that dark side. Speaking of which, your friends were also worried at the way you walked out like this. And I noticed that they were also feeling the ring's effects pulling at their minds as well, as I assume it was also doing to you. Such is the power of the One Ring."

"Yeah, I understand," Gray replied, sniffling a bit as he was attempting to wipe away more tears that were continuing to spill out. "Man, I must seem pretty pathetic now."

"Not at all," Gandalf told him, before sighing. "Take a moment if you must to get it all out, and then we can return to see what we may have missed back at the council."


Once Gray was calmed down enough, they then rejoined the council and Gandalf apologized to Elrond for Gray's emotional outburst, and Erza decided to fill them both in on what they missed as well as telling Gray of the big announcement shocker of Strider's identity that he missed out on hearing which she was still surprised about herself.

"Wait, seriously?" Gray queried in surprise, glancing over at Strider -or Aragorn, as was his actual name now.

"I was quite taken by surprise as well," Erza admitted to him, as they both turned their attention back to focusing on the discussion on what to do with the ring. Erza decided she could wait till later to ask Gray about that little fiasco he just caused, and nobody else bothered to question it either.

"Then what are we waiting for!?" Gimli suddenly shot off from beside Gray and pulled out an axe...bringing it smashing down upon the ring...there was a flash and Gimli's weapon shattered into pieces as the ring seemed to gleam in the sunlight as Gimli fell on his back astonished.

"The ring cannot be destroyed by any craft that we here possess. It must be carried into Mordor and cast into the fires of Mt. Doom. One of you...must do this." Elrond said.

"Hey, wait a minute! I wanna have a shot at destroying it too!" Natsu suddenly exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "If it's flames ya want, then that's my specialty." His teammates all deadpanned at his sudden outburst, while Gandalf was getting the sudden urge to whack him over the head again. "Take this! Fire Dragon ROOOOOOAAAAR!" Everyone stared as a huge jet of flames burst from his mouth and straight towards the ring, which still remained unaffected much to Natsu's dismay, though now the elves and dwarves present began whispering amongst themselves and casting suspicious and wary glances over at the pink haired boy. "Aw man, I really thought that would work!" Natsu complained.

"What is he?" "Dragon-spawn of Smaug, no doubt." "Or perhaps he's Smaug reincarnated, taking the form of this strange other-worldly pink haired boy, and has come back for vengeance." And even Elrond had asked "What is the meaning of this outrage?!"

"That idiot! What was he thinking?" Gray muttered.

Erza was shocked to hear what was being said about her firebreathing teammate, and thought perhaps this was what Gray had meant when Gandalf had prohibited his use of magic here in Middle Earth. Natsu's magic was just too dragon-like, and although she had to admit that she hardly knew anything about this 'Smaug', somehow these people have had a bad history involving dragons and she soon had a bad feeling that Natsu was about to react badly to what was being said about him.

Sure enough, Natsu's entire body was soon engulfed in flames, as he knew there was only one thing he could do now. "My name is Natsu Dragneel, son of the Fire Dragon King Igneel, and a proud member of the Fairy Tail wizard guild! And I'm here to prove to you all that not all dragons are as bad they're made out to be!"

"Natsu, that's enough! You need to calm down!" Lucy said, going over to throw her arms around him to try to calm his raging temper. "This is really not a good impression you should be making here."

Gandalf had also gone over and whacked the pyro on the head multiple times with his staff. "Foolish boy, what did I just tell you about that?!" He then turned to address the council. "I can assure you all that Natsu is no threat to the Free Peoples of Middle Earth, as he is a very useful ally against Sauron, and he WILL be exercising restraint at all times if I have anything to say about it. So rest assured there will be absolutely NO destruction that will render him no better than Smaug was."

"Gee gramps, you make it sound like I'm some half-crazed pyromaniac bent on nothing but destruction," Natsu mumbled, until he suddenly received another whacked on the head. "I-I mean, aye sir!"

That being settled, Gandalf practically dragged Natsu back to his seat while Lucy also went back to her seat once her friend was finally calmed down allowing the council to resume its course again, as Elrond had once again explained that the ring could only be destroyed by being cast into the fires of Mount Doom.

Boromir was the first to speak up after that: "One does not simply walk into Mordor...its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs...there is evil there that does not sleep. And the Great Eye is ever watchful. Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire...and ash and dust...the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume."

Boromir shifted in his seat, "Not with 10,000 men could you do this...it is folly."

"Even so, you heard what he said," Erza spoke up. "It's a job that must be done, despite whatever temptations we all might be feeling. And when we Fairy Tail wizards-" here, she gestured towards her team. "-begin any sort of quest, we always make it our job to see it through to the very end."

"Yeah, you tell that jerk, Erza!" Natsu declared, earning a stern look from the Titania that immediately made him shut up after that.

Natsu's outburst lit the flame for an uproar when soon everyone started arguing and Gimli cried out that he would rather die than see the Ring fall into Elf hands. Apparently there was some bad blood between dwarves and elves here. Gandalf closed his eyes and sighed however...when Frodo's voice raised above all the others and said: "I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor!" As the group turned, Frodo meekly said: "T-though I do not know the way..."

Lucy, Gray, Wendy, Happy, and Carla had remained a bit more calm and levelheaded during the whole argument, though Gray was now wanting to punch Natsu in the face for that sudden outburst he made while Lucy muttered something along the lines of "Leave it to Natsu to go and start an uproar." Followed by Happy's "Aye! That's Natsu for ya." They watched in astonishment as Frodo had decided to speak up and say that he would take it, though not at all surprised that it would be him.

Carla nodded approvingly. "Good job, stepping in like that," she told the hobbit, as she herself was beginning to get fed up with this petty arguing especially with this feud between the elves and dwarves, and would have shouted for everyone to be quiet had Frodo not spoken up in time. And she was glad he did.

Gandalf nodded as the group spoke up: "I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins." Gandalf stepped behind Frodo to offer his support.

"You have my blade, Frodo." Aragorn did the same.

"And my bow!" Legolas said

"And my axe!" Gimli said gruffly.

Boromir nodded and stepped up as well, though he didn't seem to understand how a hobbit could be the ring-bearer.

As one, Team Natsu also stepped forward to present their assistance to Frodo well. "And you also have Fairy Tail's strongest team to help you along the way as well," Erza said, requipping a sword into her hand and presenting it in a similar manner as Aragorn had though a bit more dramatically.

"You can totally count on me and my spirits to be there for you," Lucy added, holding out her Celestial Spirit gate keys.

"You don't gotta ask me twice," Gray stated coolly, ice forming in the palm of his hand to show that he was also in. And surprisingly his clothes were still on for once.

Natsu was no exception either, as he eagerly ignited a flame in each hand. "Oh yeah! I'm all fired up now!" He also glanced over at Boromir, suddenly feeling bad about his little outburst that started the whole uproar to begin with. "Sorry about that, even though I was only agreeing with Erza about how we always see our jobs through to the very end. So I guess that makes me the real jerk here." Erza was nodding approvingly at his apology. "So, no hard feelings?" he added.

"I suppose I'm willing to look passed it," Boromir replied. "Just so long as there is also a chance to tame the wild dragon within you."

"Yeah, that's kinda pushin' it a bit, don't ya think?" WHACK! "I mean, aye!" Natsu quickly amended as he was now seen rubbing a rather large bump on his head, courtesy of Gandalf's staff.

Wendy spoke up next, stepping towards Frodo. "And my healing and support magic may also be of use as well."

And Carla flew over to the hobbit as well. "And I will be there alongside her, helping out as well," she said while floating beside her Dragon Slayer friend.

Which now left Happy, as the blue Exceed didn't know what to present for himself. "Um, you also have my...uh...fish?" He held out a fish that he had been planning on eating later. Well, at least he tried, right?

"Oh for goodness sake, Happy, we already know you're included!" Carla told him, making him perk up at that. "Aye!" he declared in reply.

"Wait! Wait! Mr. Frodo ain't going nowhere without me!"

"Or us!"

Sam, Merry and Pippin rushed over and Elrond sighed, "It is very hard to keep any of you seperated, especially when he was invited to a secret meeting and you three were not..."

"Oooh! ...So where are we going?"

"Geez, get a clue already. Even Natsu's not that much of an idiot," Gray said in reply to Pippin, though he hadn't meant to say it so harshly.

"Hey, great timing guys," Natsu eagerly greeted the three other hobbits. "The team just won't be the same without ya with us."


Ok, so next chapter is when they start to head out from Rivendell. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well as the one before it. ^_^