Legolas watched as the stone benches around him slowly filled up with the representatives of Middle Earth. It was a fair place to have a council for they all sat equally in a circle, an elegant stone plinth in the center. Not since Erebor had he seen such an assortment of races come together; Elves, Men, Dwarves, Gandalf, and a Hobbit. The small curly haired Hobbit, Aragorn had hinted carried the very thing this council meeting had been called for.
Beside him Glorfindel sat, while an Elf he did not know sat to his right. Aragorn sat with the races of men but it seemed he was reserving the other half of the bench he sat upon. Perhaps for another Ranger? Soon it appeared everyone had seated themselves and Legolas looked up to Lord Elrond who remained standing. His twin sons, older than Legolas by centuries, seated to his left and Erestor to his right. The Lord of Imladris swept his gaze over them all and then towards the entrance, looking quite relieved over something. As he drew in a breath, about to address them all, there was a distinct sound of light cantering hoofs on the earth. The sound grew slightly louder as they now trotted on stone.
Lord Elrond's face became strangely crestfallen and Elladan shot a quick look to his brother before they and the rest of the council, including himself turned toward the entrance. A horse, curiously riderless, came trotting gracefully up the outer stone steps. It was the very same horse he had seen in the garden. As she reached the topmost step there was a collective gasp from many seated within the circle for in a sudden swirl of pale green and grey dress material, an elleth continued walking in the horse's place.
She walked straight past him, sending a cheery smile to Glorfindel who grinned happily back. She was the very same elleth he had rescued only a couple days earlier from near death! He knew his mouth was half hanging open but he did not care, he wasn't the only one surprised although he knew well enough now just who she was and what she was. He watched her walk with a fluent poise toward Elrond, noting she was utterly transformed from the day he had found her unconscious and frail in the forest. She now glowed with the vigor of youth and life.
"Greetings Lord Elrond, I apologize for my late arrival, I was down in the meadows." Her voice was almost like a song yet there was strength behind it, purpose. Elrond smiled down at her from where he stood on his slightly raised platform. Legolas wondered at the Lord's earlier look of disappointment just before the elleth arrived. Is she still healing? She looks well enough?
"No need to apologise Aerlaer, if you would take a seat." Elrond replied softly and she bowed her head. Legolas felt like such a fool. How had he not recognized her the moment he had found her? Aerlaer, daughter of Falas of the Edhelroch. He had not even realized it was her in the gardens earlier in her horse form. He now felt embarrassed he had studied her so obviously, quite like he was doing now. What in all Arda am I doing! Quickly he dropped his eyes to look at the stone at his booted feet, but as she practically floated past he could not help but look up and watch her. How did I not recognize her by her hair? Beside him, Glorfindel chuckled.
"You act as if you have never laid eyes upon her, yet did you not rescue her?" He said so quietly that only Legolas could hear. It was as if the golden-haired Elf could read his thoughts.
"She is now far from the edge of death, to me she is transformed. My knowledge had fled me on that day, I did not recognize her for who she truly is." He admitted sheepishly. Glorfindel chuckled again before facing towards Lord Elrond, and Legolas too turned to face the Lord of Rivendell.
…
Aerlaer caught sight of Aragorn and greeting him, sat herself gracefully beside him, trying to ignore all the eyes which had followed her since she had entered the council. She was fully aware she was the only female attending the meeting. Elrond finally began by welcoming everyone and Aerlaer took a moment to survey the others seated in the circle while all eyes were turned toward his wise voice. She noted the Elf from the garden was sitting with the other elves, slightly taller than the other elves next to him, save for Glorfindel.
Aerthor usually dealt with such situations, he was the diplomatic one. She was well spoken enough and knew well enough of the affairs concerning Middle Earth, but females didn't exactly find themselves in politics. Female Elves being allowed the right to fight was still only a relatively new lore of the third age and only embraced by Mirkwood and her own kin and she had heard, Harlindon. Lórien and Imladris were slowly changing too, but change was slow. Just sitting at this council had her trying not to pick at the fabric of her dress.
She felt a gaze upon her and looked across to the Elves to meet Glorfindel's familiar azure gaze. He would be thinking the same as I am. As if to prove so, he sent her an encouraging smile before turning and saying something to the blonde Elf beside him. Elrond said the Elf who saved me would be attending the council, I wonder which one he is? She did not have time to ponder as her uncle's tone became grave and she turned to listen intently.
"-Middle Earth stands on the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall." Elrond turned to the Hobbit sitting by a stooped and tired looking Gandalf. "Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Aerlaer watched as the curious little Hobbit walked purposely forward. Reaching up, he placed the one ring on the plinth in the center of the circle of silently watching people. Everyone present seemed to be holding a collective breath including herself she realized and realised it, letting her shoulders relax. As Frodo stepped away from the ring, she could detect the pure evil simmering quietly in the golden band, as it tried to call to all who surrounded it.
She pushed its whispers from her mind, uninterested in its attempt of persuasion of her will. I am light and sea, your darkness has no place in my mind. The whispers subsided in her mind to her relief. Aragorn, she noted seemed well enough given his ancestor had succumbed to the power of the very ring before them. On his other side however, a strong looking man rose from the circle breaking the heavy silence.
"In a dream I saw the eastern sky grow dark, but in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying 'your doom is near at hand'." Aerlaer watched cautiously as the man approached the ring. "Isildur's bane is found." As he reached for the ring, the sky darkened over Rivendell and thunder rumbled with menace outside the valley. Surprised, she looked to her uncle, finding his usually composed features filled with horror. Gandalf leapt up in a sweep of grey material and slammed down his staff, causing the Gondor man to jump back in fright. The Wizard then proceeded to utter words which caused a dark dread to seep seemingly into her very soul.
Aerlaer closed her eyes feeling immensely sick, wishing for the dreadful cursed words to go away. The ring's power within the council enclosure seemed to intensify for but a moment and she fought not to cry out as images unbidden, flooded her mind. Images of her herd falling, of fire and shadow and a silver tree falling into darkness beside her. She snapped her eyes open, trying to get away from what the ring made her see. The fell voice faded away and light returned, the morning sun warming her face once more as if nothing had happened.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris! Elrond stated in clear disapproval and shock.
"I do not ask your pardon Master Elrond, for the black speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the west," Gandalf replied. "The ring is altogether evil." He sent a scathing glare in the direction of the blonde man who had sensibly sat back down. However, it seemed he still believed the ring could be of use.
"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." He stated slowly, and Aerlaer held back rolling her eyes. He just wouldn't let it go and she wondered fleetingly what the ring had tried to promise him with its mephitic whispers. Again he rose from his seat and started to pace, Elrond and Gandalf eyeing him with suspicion. "Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept 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!" He held his arms out as if to encourage the others to agree with him. Clearly someone has not seen the evil which resides on the fringes and far ends of Mirkwood. She felt the slight ripple of air as Aragorn stood up from his seat beside her.
"You cannot wield it. None of us can," He stated this fact to the entire council. "The one ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."
"And what would a mere Ranger know of this matter?" The blonde man retorted with a look of pre-eminence upon his regal face. Aerlaer, disgusted by the foolish man's naive attitude, made to educate him on the mere Ranger, but another Elf bet her to it. The silvery-blonde Elf from the gardens stood up, clearly seething with anger towards the Gondor man.
"This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." The Elf narrowed his dark eyes at the man, challenging him to deny it.
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" Spluttered the Gondor man.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." The Elf added smugly. Exactly, you best be on your best behaviour human, or you'll be losing your throne. Aerlaer thought, enjoying seeing this man receive a lesson in the history and politics of men in too fewer words by the smart tongued Elf. She was disappointed when Aragorn beckoned the blonde Elf to stop.
"Havo dad Legolas"
Aerlaer's eyes snapped to the Elf's in surprise as he resumed his seat, having eloquently made his point. She found she was looking into his brown ones and gave him the tiniest smile in recognition to his name. He returned the gesture before they each directed their attention back to Elrond who was again speaking. "You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed."
"Then what are we waiting for." Growled a chestnut bearded Dwarf as he rose from his seat, wielding his axe. Swiftly he brought it down upon the golden ring. There was a great noise of metal ringing on metal and the Dwarf was deflected, stumbling away. She gazed back to the ring but there was not a mark on it. It had not even moved. The Dwarf grumbled angrily as he returned to his seat.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Glóin, by any craft we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade." Elrond's voice was both weary and grave. "It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." He paused, surveying them all and she felt his wise eyes move over her face to pause a moment on Aragorn before looking at them all again as a whole. "One of you must do this."
Aerlaer kept her thoughts to herself as her eyes flickered to the others, listening to them begin to bicker as they tried to decide who it should be. She sighed as the air grew tense. The blonde Gondor man barely containing his laughter at Elrond's decision. She listened as he explained the dangers of trying to get the ring into Mordor under the ever-watchful eye of Sauron, stating the whole idea was folly. Once again the blonde Elf she now knew to be Legolas, jumped up correcting the Gondor man telling him the ring had to be destroyed. Gimli the Dwarf who had tried to break the ring, rounded on the Woodland Elf, accusing him of wanting to take the ring to Mordor himself. Glorfindel leapt up then, looking angry yet trying to mediate. Soon most of the council were bickering.
Aerlaer looked at Aragorn who was sitting quietly next to her and shook her head as if to say; they've all lost their minds. He smiled ruefully at her, rolling his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. It is expected, ah well, what can you do? She could feel the ring getting stronger from the dark thoughts it was eliciting from the council members. This must stop.
"I will take it!" Aerlaer turned to the small voice trying to shout through the arguing. It was the little Hobbit, Frodo. Her heart broke for him, what he was committing to surely more perilous than Bilbo's journey to Erebor all those years ago. "I will take it!" he repeated a little louder. The commotion died down enough for everyone to hear the Hobbit the second time.
"I will take the ring to Mordor... although, I do not know the way." He mumbled out the rest, now unsure under the full attention of the stunned silent council. Her gaze moved to Gandalf, the Wizard the first to move. He walked towards the Hobbit and gazed down fondly at him.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." The Wizard said simply, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder before standing by his side.
Aragorn stood up from beside her and walked forward and she felt her heart skip, knowing full well what he was intending to do. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Aragorn knelt before the Hobbit who looked simply stunned. "You have my sword." He pledged.
"And you have my bow." Legolas spoke up as he made his way to the group which was forming around the wide eyed Hobbit.
Gimli, the Dwarf, followed after him. "And my Axe." He said, catching Legolas's eye as he stood stiffly beside the blonde Elf.
Aerlaer stood. She had decided during the long hours of the night she would remain and do what she could to fight back at the evils swiftly consuming the land and the desolation they caused. This would be how. Slowly she placed one foot before the other until she stood before the Hobbit and gazed down into his sky-blue eyes. "I too will take this journey and protect you Frodo." She declared quietly before moving to take her place in the group, sealing her future.
…
"Aerlaer, I cannot approve of this." Elrond gazed towards the young elleth, hoping she would change her mind. He had feared this very outcome. Aerlaer had a habit of finding danger easier than a moth found a flame. She turned to gaze back at him, her fair face set in determination and he already knew he had lost her.
"I was raised as my brother was, Lord Elrond, as a warrior. I am the only one left. I need to go." She held his eyes with hers, a trait she'd annoyingly picked up from her Grandmother meaning she usually always got her way. How could he deny her the right to fight and avenge her kin, her family? His own sons still took the life of each Orc they slayed in vengeance to their own mother. "This is the only way to stop this terrible evil from destroying any more of the races of Middle Earth. Mine is not the only one which has diminished." She finished pointedly. He knew she spoke of Beorn the skinchanger whose people had dwelt near hers. His life had been claimed not long ago by the Orc forces of Dol Guldur, bringing his race to an end. Elrond sighed in resignation. He knew in no way could he stop her unless he chained her to a pillar and he simply could not fathom doing such a thing.
"Very well, you may go." They were not easy words to speak. She nodded gratefully to him before movement caught his eye and the Gondor man, Boromir, stepped forward.
"You carry the face of us all little one. "He murmured, making his way toward the group and stood on Aerlaer's left. "If this is indeed the rule of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Ha! Mister Frodo ain't goin' anywhere without me!" Cried a slightly uncultured voice and Elrond inwardly groaned as the tubby Hobbit with a flopping mop of blonde hair scampered out from behind a garden wall to join Frodo.
"No indeed. It is hardly possible to separate the two of you, even when he is summoned to a secret meeting and, you are not." Elrond frowned at the intruder, but it lightened his heart to see Frodo gladdened by his friend's sudden appearance.
"Wait! We're coming too!" He could only shake his head as the two other Hobbits who had arrived with Aragorn, leapt out of a border hedge and dashed across the stone to join the group of eight. They chattered away to themselves as Gandalf caught his eye and gave him an encouraging nod. They are not warriors, but the journey will not be such a burden on any one of them, for the Hobbits do possess the ability to lighten even the darkest of spirits.
"Ten companions." He finally mused. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." He looked at the newly formed Fellowship. "We will meet this eve for dinner in the eastern hall where we will discuss and plan your journey.
With that the council dispersed and he found it was his niece lingering, standing silently before him. "Aerlaer, I am not enthusiastic by your decision but I do understand it, and I will support it."
She looked up, caught of guard by his statement, eyes widening. She embraced him before standing back. "Thank you." She whispered before turning to walk down the steps.
"Aerlaer?" He called down to her, remembering one more piece of information he had to relay to her. She stopped at the bottom of the stair to look back up at him, puzzled. "I trust you now know which Elf you need thank?"
"I do." She smiled brightly before continuing on her way. He watched her, a smile pulling at his mouth. Would she remember?