Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or characters, they belong to JRR Tolkien. I only own my Original Characters and story idea.

Authors Note: "* *" means they are speaking in Silvan.

We walked in silence until we reached the terrace.

"*Here is it,*" I said.

Legolas took a quick look around, "*This doesn't look like a Counsel Room, it's outside.*"

I shrugged, "*I'd rather have a long Counsel outside than inside a small room any day. Not a cloud in the sky, so it's more than perfect.*"

"*I did not mean no disrespect,*" he apologized quickly.

I laughed, "*None taken Legolas...or do you prefer Prince Legolas?*"

He wrinkled his nose, "*Just…Legolas is fine. What about you? Lady, Leafling?*"

I shook my head, "*I'm not quite ready for that yet, Leafling is fine. Until I officially take up my…duties, please don't call me Lady no matter what you hear.*"

He smiled, "*Same with me. I may be Thranduils son but I am not in line for the throne for many a century. Gladly too I might add, I do not want to…rule over anybody. I want the freedom to go where I want, to explore see the world. Not do what someone tells me too, be able to marry-ah,*" he cleared his throat, "*I might be a young elf but I do know being on a throne for the rest of my life is not for me. As for being a 'royal' elf that title has no worth to me unless…there I go again, please stop me if I am boring you. I am usually not this talkative.*"

His faced turned bright red, I could not help myself but giggle a bit which just made him go redder.

"*I apologize for laughing,*" I said while trying to stop giggling.

"*No need, you look bea-*" he cleared his throat, "*when you lau-ah,*" he cleared his throat again, "*Sorry, um…I been wanting to meet you.*"

I stopped giggling and I looked at him, "*What?*" I breathed.

"*Ever since I heard about you from Aman, your bravery and courage, your strength. I-I told my father that one day I would like to meet you, travel to Lothlórien,*" he looked away, "*I'm sorry that was too forward.*"

I felt my cheeks grow hot, I tucked some hair behind my ear. Just than Legolas lifted his hand and brush a few stray strands of hair away from my cheek, he has a feather light touch that made my breath hitch. We met each others gaze for a brief minute. I turned my head away, trying to get my breathing under control.

"*W-we best g-get going,*" I stuttered quietly, "*Looks like its about to start.*"

He nodded but didn't move, almost like he didn't want to part ways yet…no he's just seeing who is all present. I walked quickly away and headed to where Estel was sitting. I sat down and watched where Legolas chose to sit, he must have felt me staring because he looked my way and gave me a small smile that sent my heart sputtering.

"*Who is that you came in with?*" Estel whispered.

"*From Mirkwood, Legolas Greenleaf youngest son of King Thranduil,*" I whispered back, "*I met up with him and showed him the way here. And we did not come in together, I-I was ahead of him.*"

Estel gave me a weird look, "*Are you feverish? Your face is flushed, do you need to lie down?*"

I looked at the ground and cleared my throat, "*I'm okay, i-it's nothing…here's Frodo and Bilbo, we can start now.*"

Estel cocked an eyebrow at me and noticed Legolas looking this way, who quickly looked away. Estel cleared his throat and I glanced at him, a knowing look in his eye. I looked away and ran a hand through my hair.

"*It's not like that,*" I mumbled, I'm pretty sure…

Elrond stood up and faced everyone, "Here my friends, is the hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent."

He than continued to quietly tell Frodo who everyone was, when his eyes landed on Estel and I, his eyes lit up. I nodded in acknowledgment.

Elrond than turned to Gandalf, "Here, is Boromir, a man from the south. He arrived this grey morning and seeks for counsel."

I turned to Estel, "*I was wondering who that was, he's from Gondor.*"

"I have bidden him to be present," Elrond continued, "for here his questions will be answered."

There was talk about going ons in the world, the trouble growing down south, news from the east in the mountains.

"Moria," started Glòin, "Moria, we dug too deep and woke a nameless fear. Long has its halls been empty since the children of Durin fled. Long there have been whispers of longing but tainted with dread, none have entered but Thrór, he perished. At long last Balin listened to the whispers of longing and resolved to go. Along with him went Ori and Óin and many of our folk. That was thirty years ago, for a while we got news: Moria has been entered and work begun. Since have been silent and no word.

"Our gates at Lonely Mountains were approached by a messager of Mordor, saying Lord Sauron wants friendship. Friendship in exchange for help in finding a thief, a hobbit that we once knew. Dain has given no answer but our brother King Brand in Dale is afraid and may yield. I have been sent to warn Bilbo and to find out why the Enemy seeks out such a trifle ring."

Elrond rose, "You have done well to come, many of the questions you seek, you will find answers. All of you have come here in the nick of time, by chance. Until this day what has been hidden will be told. The Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning. I shall start but others will end it."

Than he started talking about the making of the rings of power, the friendship between Mordor and Eregion. The betrayal of the Elven-smiths of Eregion as Sauron took their knowledge and forged in Mountain of Fire the One Ring to be their master. The hiding of the Three Elven rings.

He talked about Númeor, their rise and fall. Of the line of kings: Elendil his sons Isildur and Anárion. The Last Allegiance of Elves and Men, the battle of the Ring on the slope of Orodruin. How Isildur cut The Ring from Saurons hand with the shattered sword of Elendil, when he refuse to listen to the counsel given to him from Elrond to destroy The Ring. He took it when it should have been casted into the fires of Orodruin, it soon betrayed him to his death.

The battle was not totally fruitless, Sauron was diminished but not destroyed. His ring lost but not unmade. The shards went to the heir of Isildur who was but a child, stayed here in Rivendell. He mentioned the Tree of Kings that has withered through the years. With that all said Elrond said back down.

Boromir stood up, "Give me leave Master Elrond, I hail from Gondor. We still restrain the wild folk of the East and the terror of Morgul at bay. But now the nameless Enemy has risen, smoke rises from Orodruin, we called Mount Doom. We were driven away with war from Osgiliath, a few of us survived. I have come here for counsel not for allies in war. For I had a dream, a voice cried from far:

Seek for the sword that was broken,

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be counsels taken

Stronger the Morgul-spells,

There shall be shown a token

That Doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's Bane shall waken,

And the Halfling forth shall stand.

Of this I understood little, I asked leave of my father, Lord of Gondor to travel here."

Estel stood up and put his sword on the table in front of Elrond, the blade was in two pieces, "Here you will find your answers. This is the Sword that was Broken!"

Boromir looked Estel over, his eyes narrowed, "Who are you? And what do you have to do with Minas Tirith?"

I stood and and took a few steps forward, I felt everyone's eyes on me, "He is Aragorn son of Arathorn and he is descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil. He is chief of the Dùnedan in the North, and few are now left of that folk."

I seen Frodos eye widen, I sat back down and was followed by Estel. Gandalf leaned over and said something in Frodos ear, he slowly took out The Ring.

"Behold, Isildur's Bane," said Elrond.

The gold reflected in Boromirs eyes, "The Doom of Minas Tirith is here, why should we seek a broken sword?"

"It did not say the Doom of Minas Tirith," Estel said, "But Doom and great deeds are at hand. The sword is a heirloom pasted down when all other heirlooms were lost. It is spoken that it will be remade when Isildur's Bane is found."

Doubt glittered in Boromirs eyes.

"I am Isildur's heir not Isildur himself, I carry no resemblance to Elendil or Isildur. I have had a hard life, many leagues between here and Gondor are little compared to the journeys I have had." Estel continued, "Rangers protect the country people who scorn us and give us names like 'Strider'. We are hunters but not all of us hail from Mordor. Isildur's Bane has been found, the Sword shall be reforge and I will come to Minas Tirith."

Boromir narrowed his eyes, "It is found you say, all I see is a small gold ring in the hands of a Halfling, how did it come to such a strange messager?"

Elrond motioned to Bilbo, "That will be told."

Bilbo retold the story I knew well, about meeting Gollum, the riddles and how he came to The Ring. He than passed it on to Frodo who told of his dealings with the Black Riders his journey thus far.

Now it was Gandalf's turn to speak, he spoke of his trial of finding Gollum, his study of The Ring in Gondor. When Aragorn found Gollum, his long weary talk with him, finding out that The Enemy knows where The Ring is. The keeping of Gollum at Mirkwood, where they watch over him day and night at the hope he would be cured.

"Alas," Legolas said with distress on his fair features.

I clenched my fist, I did not like that look on his fair face, it did not belong there.

"The tidings I been sent with must be said now," he continued, "The creature Sméagol named Gollum escaped."

"Escaped?" cried Estel, "This is ill news indeed. How came the people of Thranduil fail in their trust?"

"It was not the lack of watchfulness,"said Legolas, "but over kindness, we had not the heart to keep him in the dungeons. In case he slipped into his old black thoughts."

Glóin stood up, "You were less tender to me!" Remembrance shone in his eyes.

"Now, now that was a regrettable misunderstanding," Gandalf said softly, " It has been set right, if all grievances that stand between Elves and Dwarfs are brought up we may as well abandon this Counsel."

Glóin rose again and bowed, Legolas continued, "On fair days we took him for a walk, one day he climbed a tree and refused to come down. We stayed there long into the night, we than were attacked by Orcs, in the confusion he escaped. This was a planned attack to rescue Gollum, we failed to recapture him. For the trail passed beyond our skill and we neared Dol Guldur, a evil place we shall never go near."

"Than he is gone, who knows now what role he will play in the future," said Gandalf gravely.

"What of Saruman? Why is he not here?" Asked Galdor.

Gandalf told how he rode to Isengard, that Saruman discard his white robe for one of colours, he talked about joining Sauron for his was the winning side. He was held prisoner for he would not say who had The Ring. There he found that Saruman is raising his own army, one to rival Saurons. He was recused by the eagles, he tried to locate Frodo and feared the worst. Slowly he made his way to Rivendell after learning that Frodo was with Aragorn.

"Now the Tale has been told from first to last but one question remains, what shall we do with it?"

"We do not have the strength to keep the ring for ever from The Enemy," Glorfindel said, "We either send it over seas or destroy it."

"It cannot be destroyed by any weapon we have here," replied Elrond, "The Ring must be sent to the Fire, it must be unmade."

A silent fell, I fingered the dagger on my belt. This was the full tale of The Ring, everything that has been said swirled though my mind. I felt someone watching me, I looked up and met bright grey eyes, a shocked look filter across his face as he looked away quickly. I hid a smile.

"Why do we talk about destroying it? We could use it against The Enemy." Cried Boromir, "Let the power of the Ring take us to victory."

"None can wield the power," I said, "It would corrupt even the Wisest, they would over turn Sauron but than another Dark Lord would reign. Have you not been listening?"

He glanced at me, "Who are you to speak to me like that? An Elf yes but one has has stay silent this whole time."

Elrond beckoned me forward, "Tell them who you are, it's time for them to know."

I took a deep breath and stood up, I tucked all my hair behind my ears, clearly showing my two points. Gandalf gasped.

"No, it can not be, that line has long been dead," he said in shock.

Legolas stared at me with wide eyes.

"The fate of my kindred lies with the fate of The Ring. I am Warrior Maiden Leafling Hazelwood of Lothlórein, born of Avari, Princess of the House of Warriors, last kindred. My people were tortured and turned into Orcs, the very ones The Enemy uses now. The Enemy has taken everything away from me, it destroyed what I was but, I will not have it destroy what I can be."

"How…?" questioned Glóin.

"Like Gandalf said my line is suppose to be dead, if they knew I was alive they would have hunted me down long ago, none survived when the Orcs were told to hunt us down. I survived by mere chance only, Fate must have foreseen my part in all of this."

With that I sat back down and let out a quite sigh, I never liked talking to big crowds. Estel leaned over and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, I smiled faintly at him.

Bilbo spoke up, "I get it, since I started this I have to end it. It looks like I have to change the ending of my book now, when do I start?"

Boromir looked amused but the laughter died on his lips when he seen everyone regard the old hobbit with grave respect.

"Of course my dear Bilbo," said Gandalf, "You started this affair it would be right for you to end it however The Ring has passed on. Keep your ending unaltered but be prepared to write a sequel when they come back."

Bilbo laughed, "I don't suppose I have the strength to deal with The Ring anymore, it has grown but I have not. But what do you mean by they?"

"The messengers who are sent with The Ring," Gandalf answered.

"But who will that be?" questioned Glorfindel, "It seems to me that is what this Counsel has to decide."

We all fell silent again, I looked around our circle. Who here would have the strength to carry this burden? Anyone here could with help. Than I heard a small voice.

"I will take The Ring but I do not know the way."

I looked up and seen that it was Frodo who spoke. I traded a glance with Estel, he seems to had the same idea as me.

Elrond turned to him, "If I understand everything I heard, this task has been appointed to you Frodo; and if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, who will rise from their quiet fields. But this is a heavy burden; so heavy none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say your choice is right."

Just than a figure popped up and ran towards Frodo, "Surely you don't intend to send him alone?"

"No indeed," Elrond turned to Sam with a smile, "You shall go with him, since it is impossible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret counsel and you are not."

Sam blushed and sat beside Frodo. I grinned at the loyalty that he showed to his friend.

"*I'll see you when you get back Little Brother,*" I said as I watched him, Elladan and Elrohir ride off, "*I wish I could come along.*"

Estel smiled, "*You best listen to Lord Elrond, we still have a journey ahead of us, don't fret yet.*"

I leaned against the wall as I pouted at being left behind, they went ahead to scout the road and talk with other Rangers. I sighed as I walked up the stairs, passing more scouts as they readied to leave.

"*I know what you are thinking, don't do it,*" Said a voice from the shadows.

I grinned, "*Arwen, you know me too well.*"

She laughed, "*I knew you when you were an elfling, how headstrong and stubborn you can be. Listen this time, you need some downtime too.*"

I ran a hand through my hair, "*I am unused to having this much time to myself, at least without Haldir or Rúmil around, are there any fish in the stream that runs through here?*"

She frowned, "*I am unsure, there could be. No one here fishes or have the desire to.*"

I kicked the ground, "*I wish I could run home and come back this evening, I miss them, even Orophin. I don't know why, I never missed home this much before. I'm going for a walk, I'll talk to you later.*"

I ran off before Arwen could answer, I hopped onto the railing and went into the garden. I jumped from tree to tree, feeling the wind in my hair, like the freedom of running on the beams. I reached the tall cypress tree, I took a look around, it's still a beautiful sight even after all these years. I hopped from branch to branch making my way down, I reached the last branch and jumped down and landed on something soft.

"*Oh stars, I'm sorry,*" I said as I tried to detangle myself, "*Usually no one goes this far.*"

"*No matter, I should know better than to think no one comes this far…Leafling?*"

I recognize that voice, with a start I shot up and stepped a few feet back.

"*Legolas?*" I felt my face get red, "*I'm sorry I-I didn't mean to jump you. Oh that's n-not what I meant.*"

He turned his head away but I could see his ears were red, "*I-I didn't think that way, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?*"

"*No I uh I had a soft landing,*" I grinned, "*Are you okay?*"

He looked at me, "*I am now…oh I mean…where exactly did you come from? I did not hear anyone walking.*"

I motioned to the tree, "*By tree top.*"

His eyes grew wide, "*My Father told me about seeing you jumping across and from beams that held the flets in place, I thought he was just telling tall tales.*"

I laughed, "*A habit that Naneth still doesn't like.*"

We stood there quietly.

"*You're a princess?*" he asked lowly.

I looked up at the sky, "*Yes I am, a princess of a dead line…it's…scary knowing you're alone in the world…that you're the only one.*"

He stepped forward, "*But you're not alone, not by far Leafling.*"

I turned to him, "*Truly I am, there are no Avari left alive, at least left unaltered.*"

He shook his head again and gently touched my arm, "*You are not alone, please don't think that.*"

A feeling welled up inside me and I got scared, I smiled uncertainly. And turned to leave, he looked taken back.

"*That was truly out of line, my apologies Lady Leafling,*" he said while bowing.

I gently hit him in the head, "*You don't listen very well do you?*" I teased, "*I told you no matter what you hear, don't call me Lady, honestly, men. Words go in one ear and out the other.*"

He broke into a smile, "*Not true, I hear everything you say to me,*"

I smiled gently and looked away, that's when I noticed his sword, "*How well do you fight?*"

He shrugged, "*Well enough.*"

I took my sword out, "*Show me.*"

His eyes grew big, "*What?*"

"*Fight with me and I'll tell you my side of the story,*" I challenged, "*Or are you scared by Amans story?*"

He took out his sword and grinned, "*I'm not scared, so tell me.*"

He lunged forward expecting to catch me off guard, I smirked and deflected his attack easily. I jabbed at his left leg, he barely covered.

"*Your brother has a big mouth,*" I dodged another swipe, "*He asked why I wasn't dressed like a Lady than he continued to insult me,*" I jabbed at his chest, "*by laughing at my ears. Calling them deformed.*"

Legolas blocked my jabbed looking shocked, "*He what! All he said was that some things were said than you challenged him to a duel.*"

I put my sword down, "*We fought and I won, if it were an actual fight he would have died.*"

"*The dagger,*" he said.

I nodded, "*You fight well.*"

He smiled, "*You fight better.*"

"*I'm surprised you weren't able to knock my sword away, shocked actually,*" I teased.

He pointed his sword at me, "*Tomorrow, we'll practice more. I'm rusty at one on one fighting.*"

I raised my eyebrow, "*Oh we will have to fix that.*"

(Time lapse: 2 months)

I heard that Elrond is talking with the hobbits, so I set off to find them. I turned the corner and saw them.

"The Company of the Ring shall be Ten; and the Ten walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders, for we may fight fair but the Enemy will not," explained Elrond, "Gandalf will go with you, the rest will represent the other Free People's of the world: Elves, Dwarves and Men. Legolas for the Elves, Leafling for her people, Gimli son of Glóin for the Dwarves. They are willing to go at least to the passes of the Mountain, and perhaps beyond. For men you will have Aragorn son of Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely."

I walked over and stood beside Estel. Frodo looked happy at this.

"Strider!" He cried.

"Yes," Estel smiled, "I ask leave once again to be your companion."

"I would have begged for you to come but I thought you were going to Minas Tirith with Boromir." Frodo questioned.

"I am but your road and our road lie together for hundreds of miles. Therefore Boromir will be in the Company also." Estel answered, "He is a valiant man."

"That leaves two," said Elrond thoughtfully, "I shall find someone in my House."

"That leaves no room for us," cried Pippin, "We don't want to be left behind."

"Yes, you will have to gag and tie us up, for we plan to follow them," said Merry.

Elrond looked grave, "I cannot foresee your journey, there will be many great perils," he paused, "Very well, the tale of the Ten is filled, you shall depart in seven days."

"Nine," said a gruff voice.

I looked down to my left and saw Gimli standing there, his cheeks pinked a bit.

"Nine, the Elves," he motioned to me and Legolas, "count as one."

I raised my eyebrow at him, "Than Estel and Boromir should count as one too, for they are both Men."

He shook his head, "They are different one is a Lord and the other is a Heir, Elves are the same no matter what."

And this is the son of Glóin?

Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! You readers are the best! I hope this wasn't too long, I had so much trouble writing this but I hope it's good :) now as are done with the Counsel and now onward! I love hearing back from you guys, good or bad :)

Now I have a question, how is the character development? And the plot development? If you can drop a answer or two I would really appreciated it :)