Chapter 16: The Council of Elrond

After three months, Boromir finally reached the sanctuary of Rivendell. He was sent on a mission by his father, Lord Denethor to learn news of the One Ring. Boromir greatly feared the news of Isildur's Bane, and he did not wish to go. Denethor held firm to his desire that Boromir should journey to Rivendell instead of Faramir. That night, as Boromir roamed the halls of Rivendell, he thought about his wife, Pharazphel. Before he departed on his journey, Boromir learned that Pharazphel was expecting his child. Boromir knew that Pharazphel would be four months along in her pregnancy at this time, as she conceived on their wedding night. He worried about Pharazphel and his child. Boromir knew he did not have to worry about Pharazphel's safety, as she was a strong and capable woman. What troubled Boromir was the temperament of his father toward Pharazphel. Denethor never approved of Boromir's marriage to Pharazphel. Boromir was troubled by how Denethor would react to his unborn grandchild. Boromir put those thoughts out of his mind. He knew that Faramir would tend to Pharazphel as well as her unborn child. More than anything, Boromir wished that he could be by Pharazphel's side as she bore his child. Boromir kept his hope that he would return to Gondor with Pharazphel and a child waiting for him.

Boromir roamed the halls of the elven sanctuary. He was taken by the imagery of Isildur, the last High King of Gondor, raising his sword to The Dark Lord Sauron. Boromir then saw a man sitting behind him. The man was dressed in green, Elvish garb, and he read a book.

"You are no Elf," Boromir said wisely.

"The men of the South are welcome here," the stranger replied.

"Who are you?" Boromir asked.

"I'm friend to Gandalf the Grey," said the man.

"We are here on common purpose, friend," Boromir commented.

Boromir then caught sight of a statue. On an altar, Boromir was amazed to find the shards of a sword.

"The shards of Narsil," Boromir said in awe. "The blade that cut the ring from Sauron's hand."

Boromir took the broken hilt and ran his fingers along the tip. The blade bit into his finger, drawing blood.

"Still sharp," Boromir said in wonder. "but no more than a broken hilt."

Boromir hastily placed the broken sword back on the altar. As he did, he heard it fall to the ground with a clang.

The next morning, the Council of Elrond was assembled. Lord Elrond had called together an assembly of Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Gandalf the Grey was also in attendance. There was also a strange being that Boromir had not seen before. He had bushy hair on his feet and deep blue eyes. Boromir learned that this being was called a Hobbit and his name was Frodo Baggins.

Lord Elrond stood up and spoke. "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."

The little Hobbit stood up and slowly placed a golden ring on the stone pedestal before the council. The council whispered in surprise and awe of the One Ring before them.

"So it is true," Boromir said in awe. "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark, but in the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: "You doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found."

Boromir rose and approached the pedestal, reaching out for the ring. "Isildur's Bane."

"Boromir!" Elrond cried out.

Gandalf then roared out a language that seemed to shake the very ground. "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!"

Boromir sank back to his chair. The rest of the council was greatly disturbed by the speech Gandalf uttered.

"Never before has anyone dared uttered those words of that tongue here in Imladris," Lord Elrond said gravely.

"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond," Gandalf said. "For the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil!"

"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" Boromir said passionately.

Boromir was on his feet again. "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!"

"You cannot wield it. None of us can," the strange man said. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir questioned.

An Elf stood up. His name was Legolas, son of Thranduil. "This is no mere Ranger," he declared. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir was stunned. The lost heir to Gondor's throne sat before him all this time. "Aragorn. This is Isildur's heir?"

"An heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas replied.

"Sit down, Legolas," Aragorn said in Elvish.

Boromir sneered. "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king."

Boromir took his seat again, never taking his eyes off Aragorn.

"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it," Gandalf said wisely.

Lord Elrond stood. "You have only once choice. The Ring must be destroyed."

Boromir tried to hide his dismay. His father's words echoed in his mind: Bring me back this kingly gift. Boromir did not want to disappoint his father. He began to see the Ring as a useful weapon to the enemy. A weapon that could save his people.

"What are we waiting for?" Gimli the Dwarf said hastily.

Without a second thought, Gimli brought his ax down on the Ring and was thrown backward.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess," Elrond said sagely. "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."

"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir said pessimistically. "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. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly."

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas said angrily. "The Ring must be destroyed."

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" questioned Gimli.

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir asked hopelessly.

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli declared.

Before long, the Council was bickering amongst themselves. Gandalf's voice rang out the loudest. "Can you not understand? Sauron's power grows. None of you can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"

Then, the voice of Frodo was able to overcome the arguing of the council. "I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way."

The Council stared in awe at the Hobbit. It was hard to imagine one so small having such a great burden.

Gandalf stepped forward. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins. As long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn stood up. "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will."

Aragorn knelt before Frodo. "You have my sword."

"And you have my bow," Legolas added.

"And my ax!" Gimli chimed in.

"You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done," Boromir said earnestly.

"Here!" cried out another voice. It was Samwise Gamgee, friend to Frodo Baggins. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."

"No, indeed. It is highly impossible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not," Elrond said with amusement.

Two more Hobbits, known as Merry and Pippin came running forward.

"Wait! We're coming, too!" Merry exclaimed. "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."

"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing," Pippin said.

"Well, that rules you out, Pip," Merry said in jest.

Elrond gazed at the company. "Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Great!" Pippin said excitedly. "Where are we going?"

A/N: I do not own anything except my OC characters. I hope you are all enjoying this story. Thank you for the lovely reviews. It meas so much to me!