Authors Note: Thanks to my reviewers and sorry for the delay. Things are getting a bit hectic at the mo! Anyway good reading ;)
Indil was the first to arrive at the room provided by Lord Elrond for her meeting with the Fellowship. It was a large room occupied by a beautifully carved wooden table, around which nine chairs were placed.
A fire crackled in the hearth to the left of the table, heating the room and bathing it in a warm glow. Tapestries of ancient battles and legends were draped on the four walls, brightening the room with their colour and preventing cold drafts from entering. Lord Elrond had kindly left detailed maps of Mordor and its perimeter, from Imraldis' coveted library no less, for Indils' use. Hefting her cloth bag she walked around the table absently stroking the aged wooden table with one hand. Opening the bag she inspected her wares.
Indil laid out several weapons on a sideboard purposefully; row upon row of fearsome blades, darts and daggers gleamed ominously as she removed them from her sackcloth bag. All were of Mordor origin and bared signature signs that hinted towards that end. The smiths of Mordor did not put any store by beauty or appearance, for them the most crucial point concerning a weapon was its ability to slash, tear and gouge. Thus all the blades, from broad swords to daggers, had a crudeness that no elven smith would permit to mar any elvish weapon.
The darts and arrows were no less striking than the others. Shafts of blackened ash with fletchings of crow feathers, they were every bit as dark as the blades that lay beside them. A feature that was common to both projectiles, despite the difference in the length of their shafts, was their serrated tips.
Somberly she felt the rough hewn shafts beneath her fingertips as she laid them out, fell weapons for fell ends. All of these were wielded by an evil that did not concern itself with race, mercy or pity. Yet again she found herself calling the ability of the Fellowship to succeed into question. Shaking her head to dispel all such thoughts she discarded the sackcloth to the side and began to lay out the maps on the main table.
Indil did not have to wait long for company, if you could describe it as such. Aragorn was the first to arrive quickly followed by the elf prince Legolas. Both were quiet in her presence, due to her intent study of the maps before her and the distraction of so many blackened weapons to one side. Aragorn sat upright in his chair with the bearing of any lord despite his garments of worn cloth and leather while Legolas appeared every bit the elven prince with his tunic of forest green with russet-coloured embroidery. Two pairs of eyes, one grey the other blue, swept the room then the maps and finally rested upon the lady who studied them so absorbedly.
The atmosphere was considerably lightened by the entrance of the four hobbits, two of whom in particular were in good spirits. Apparently Merry and Pippin had managed to pilfer some baked goods from the kitchens putting them in an agreeable mood. Only with their entry did Indil feel some reprieve from the steady scrutiny of Legolas and Aragorn, both of whom were being questioned and included in discussions that did not really hold much interest for them.
Lastly Boromir and Gimli entered in deep discussion, Boromir slightly surprised by the presence of so many. Straightening slightly he focused in on Indil.
"Forgive me my Lady, I fear we are late?"
Indil smiled quietly from her position at the head of the table.
"Do not be troubled Lord Boromir, you are just in time."
Assured he took his place opposite Aragorn with Gimli to his right and the hobbits to his left, giving Aragorn a well measured gaze quite brimming with a mixture of contempt and anger. Clearly Boromir had yet to fully engage Aragorn in any conversation since the revelations of the Council of Elrond and when he did address the Chieftain of the Dunedain it was to inform him of the past glories of the Stewards of Gondor or of Gondors' contempt for any semblance of a King.
Heads turned to Indil expectantly as she considered how best to begin that which promised to be an eventful gathering. Looking around the table slowly from right to left she met the inquisitive glances, demanding stares and contemplative studies of her companions.
"My friends as you probably all know through one source or another, or perhaps from me," she inclined her head to the hobbits. "that I am an associate of Gandalf the Grey. In truth he was the one who requested my assistance in Imraldis, for a short period, as you prepare for your upcoming journey. Suffice it to say that he asked that I should give you an insight into the inner workings of Mordor and its inhabitants since that is your intended destination and a land surrounded by much mystery and confusion."
Indil paused momentarily to allow all that she had said to be absorbed and, hopefully, accepted. Unfortunately not all were as compliant as she had hoped.
"What do we need to know of Mordor save that it is a barren wasteland as far as the eye can see, occupied by our enemy and holder of our only means of salvation?"
Gimli's outburst was not contradicted save for a warning look from Aragorn which had little affect. The air grew heavy with tension as the group watched Indil, analysing her reaction and wondering what could she possibly have to say in her defence.
Admirably she smiled calmly at the staunch dwarf seated between Boromir and Aragorn, at the opposite end of the table.
"Master Gimli knowing your enemy inside and out is of the utmost importance. All who go on this quest must be as best prepared as is possibly to avoid any surprises. When you reach Mordor, by whatever route you take, knowledge of its terrain, strengths and weaknesses will be invaluable should you wish to penetrate its borders undetected."
Adjusting his position in his chair the burly dwarf grudgingly accepted what she said with a curt nod of his head.
"My Lady, with all due respect, what do you know of the black land and what lies therein? I myself have lived not a day's ride or more from the black gate and I can only claim to have seen the dark realm from a distance."
Turning her gaze slowly from Gimli to Boromir Indils' eyes held no reproach or anger at being questioned though her tone this time was harder.
"Indeed Lord Boromir you have maybe the most experience of Mordor with the exception of both Aragorn and I. I cannot speak for Aragorn but in my case I can tell you that during the last war, long before the First Alliance was conceived of, I infiltrated the dark land on several occasions for differing reasons as wide ranging as information gathering to inspection. If you do not believe me I will refer you to Gandalf who has knowledge of all my previous visits to that black end of Middle Earth."
Indil regarded Boromirs' shocked look with one of amusement as he processed the information she had just shared.
"How did you. . . . why were you . . .?" Boromir trailed off quietly.
Indil alleviated the man of Gondors' questions somewhat with a quick dismissal.
"Young Steward did you really believe that I was of your age, your time? No. I tell you truthfully that I was nearly lost to the dark but was saved by the timely regrouping of men and elves during the first age. That, however, is a story for another time."
Her eyes held a haunted look that bespoke of memories best forgotten or put out of mind. After that everyone's questions died on their lips at the foreign look upon her face and in her eyes. Lost in past remembrances for but a moment Indil shifted her gaze toward the maps laying on the table. Clearing her throat she leaned forward and pulled them to her.
"Not all of us have ventured into that land but we do know something of its' layout from information gathered over the ages. Mordor is surrounded by black peaks known as the Ephel Dliath or the Mountains of Shadow. It is a continuous range surrounding Mordor on the three closest fronts to us. To the north they are, for that stretch, called the Ered Lithui or Ash Mountains." Indil explained her forefinger tracing the mountain ranges gracefully.
"Only one direct entrance is available to us and those who live beyond the borders of Mordor that is the Black Gate or Morannon." Indils' finger circled the spot on the map which lay on a corner of Mordor diagonally across from the small depictions of Osgiliath and Minas Tirith. "Obviously this option is not open to you if the Fellowship wishes to remain hidden."
Moving back slightly Indil watched as the Hobbits leaned over the map enthusiastically to study the foreboding range which on the map appeared miniscule. Sighing Indil glanced at Aragorn who sat in his chair unmoving and silent. He already knew all of what she had said, as had Legolas, Gimli and Boromir. Thankfully they understood that the Hobbits needed to be informed of such basic detail before Indil could move on.
"Therefore your only hope is to traverse the peaks themselves which is no easy task. For this I suggest you take either the peaks just east or west of the Black Gate, particularly the ones to the east, since they are not as demanding as those further on. They also allow you to come as close as is possible to Mount Doom, leaving less flat ground to be covered by foot."
"The only obstacle there is the little matter of Barad Dur! Coming from that direction we would have to sneak directly beneath the Eye." Exclaimed Legolas laying his hand on the map directly above the dark tower to illustrate his point to the halflings.
"Yes it would but what would you have me do? Suggest another path? I could suggest to you the way of the River Poros which runs through Southern Ithilien, through the mountains to the south and eventually into the Sea of Nurnen but that would involve more travel both outside and inside Mordor increasing your chances of being found."
Legolas stared at her in amazement. Did she honestly expect them to take this mad course she suggested? The only place it leaded to was certain death.
"Prince Legolas, I am well aware of what I am suggesting." Admitted Indil softly noting the emotions swirling in his eyes. "No matter what route you take you cannot escape Saurons' notice from South, North, East or West by hiding in the shadows. This whole plan of the Fellowship is the furthest thing from his mind. He is confident that we will either try to hide the ring, pass it into the west or use it to our own ends. Not in his darkest dreams does he suppose that we will attempt to destroy it. By entering Mordor from the North you avoid a lengthy journey through Rohan, the White Mountains, Gondor and South Ithilien not to mention the trek from the Sea of Nurnen to Mount Doom."
"The Lass is right."
Everyone in the room turned in shock to look at the robust dwarf who now was staring resolutely at the elven prince.
"Sauron does not expect us from the North and I don't know about you boy but I prefer a more direct approach than skulking in Mordor!"
"I did not suggest that we skulk, only that we consider the distance between us and the Dark Tower!" spat the enraged elf leaning menacingly in the direction of Gimli.
Aragorn pushed Legolas back into his seat murmuring "Havo dad" every once in a while to cool the elf's temper. The Hobbits and Boromir looked on with interest at the development between the two while Indil bowed her head patiently and waited for the argument to come to and end. Sensing the gaze of those in the room she raised her head.
"How do you expect to aid the ringbearer when you can barely tolerate each other? It is advice, guidance, fellowship that he needs not bickering." she whispered accusingly.
Both dwarf and elf avoided her gaze and each other while offering no answer to her direct and cutting question.
Facing the Hobbits, Indil once again drew their attention to the map of Mordor on the table.
"Here is the path which I suggested." She stated following the said path with her finger. "Prince Legolas suggested that you take a more southerly route as to avoid detection from the dark tower or Barad Dur, Saurons' stronghold."
As she traced the route that the elf had suggested the Hobbits faces fell slightly at the distance her finger covered in comparison to before.
"Though more sense if the Fellowship had much time to work with it would not save you from any detection. Consider the longer distance and when you reach Mordor the higher peaks and trek from the Sea of Nurnen."
The mountains were drawn so as to illustrate the difference in height with their brethren to the North and the Sea of Nurnen lay within the south-easterly corner of Mordor, as far from Mount Doom as possible. It was plain to everyone that Legolas' plan was not viable.
Looking around the table Indil saw rather than heard the Fellowships acceptance of her advice. In her heart she felt the need to reassure the disheartened Hobbits and their companions as she took in their downcast features and knitted brows.
"I grant you this is no mean feat. There are also the sharp foothills of Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes to contend with but I would not suggest this route if I did not think you capable of following it."
Slightly heartened by her words of encouragement the Hobbits looked at her hopefully, in the countenances of the others she recognised the looks of surprise and then comprehension as the Hobbits began to chat.
"Well I say no little mountains will defeat a Took no less! My ancestors are proof of our stoutness." declared Pippin.
"With regard only to their stomachs. No Took could ever best a Brandybuck dear cousin." laughed Merry as Pippins' face displayed his outrage.
"If this is the way Mister Frodo is goin then that's where I am headed." stated Sam categorically to himself.
"Good, well now you know something of Mordor and its lands I will show you some weapons of the enemy. Come here."
Rising quickly Indil indicated the Hobbits curious stares to the array of weapons next to her. Leaping off their seats Indil repressed a smile at the excitement that shone in the eyes of the younger Hobbits who tripped over each other in their efforts to get as close as possible to the weapons. Frodo however was as serious as ever, contemplating the dark utensils with an impassive face betrayed by a slight tremor in his hand as he unconsciously rubbed his injured shoulder for a second."Oooh what's this?"
"Pippin that is not a toy." admonished Indil as Pippin playfully hefted an orcish broad sword from the sideboard. With ease she regained the weapon from his grip before he could poke Merry with it.
"These are orcish weapons. Here we have the standard sword carried by every orc."
Giving the sword a test swing Indil decided to display its power by splitting a log from the basket beside the fire.
"Note how thick the blade is when compared to the swords of men or elves. That is because orcs are able to lift and use such weight fairly comfortably and it provides maximum damage. To counter this men and elves have swords which, though lighter by comparison, are just as deadly when used correctly. Instead of hewing the flesh they slice."
Replacing the sword Indil went on to point out its features identifying it as being of Mordor origin rather than of Sarumans' doing. From there she moved through the display of daggers of varying shape and size.
All of them looked evil to Frodo but they lacked the deadly grace that had been apparent in the blades of the Nazgul. Their blades had not gleamed; no they had been pure black absorbing any light given by the moon. Frodo was disturbed from his thoughts as Indil moved further down the sideboard.
"This is an orcish arrow. The shafts are thicker than those used by elves or men and the fletching is more crudely done but it is devastatingly effective. The tip is serrated to maximise the damage inflicted and the extra weight from the shaft is to ensure deep penetration, to the bone if necessary. To compensate for the weight orcish bows are smaller and are not able to fire from the same distance as is achievable when using man made or elvish bows."
As Indil described the uses of each weapon, pointed out similarities and features Boromir stared in wonder at her knowledge. How did such a woman come by such knowledge of weaponry, associate of Gandalf or no?
Gimli too had the same reservations but was sorely tempted to speak out regarding her constant referral to elvish and mannish weapons without any regard for those of dwarven make. Such an oversight!
"Finally you must remember that more often than not orcs cover their weapons in poison to ensure their prey does not survive. Even if you have a mere scratch alert one of the Fellowship to your wounds and they will advise you while I am sure Lord Elrond or one of the healers would be more than happy to show you some simple remedies or poultices."
Indil tried to convey the seriousness of the situation to the Hobbits and it appeared that she was successful. All of them, not just Frodo, now eyed the weapons warily as they should have done in the first instance. These were more informed Hobbits, better prepared, more able and less innocent. For good or for bad they needed this information.
Indil let them hold the weapons and allowed them to study them themselves for a while as she took her place at the table. She was joined by everyone except the Hobbits who after a moment or two followed her example. Indil could see that all present were in need of a short break but she could not permit them to leave so despondent.
"Do not forget, dear Hobbits, that we have weapons of our own. No dark bow can match those of the elves or any orcish blade the mighty swords of men. Lest it be forgotten dwarven smith craft is truly spectacular as are their weapons especially with regard to their axes. For each tool our enemy possesses we have another that matches or outshines theirs."
Despite everything Gimli found himself basking in the wonder of the Hobbits stare. He was not the only one affected even the men and elf smiled grimly at her summary.
"Now I think that is all we should consider today lest our hearts become laden with many worries and thoughts of the future which cannot be resolved now. We will meet again tomorrow."
The Hobbits raced to the door eager to fill their stomachs with elevenses and lunch which they had just missed. Gimli followed in a more dignified manner though no less hurriedly for even his stomach had an overwhelming appetite that needed to be sated. Both Aragorn and Legolas stood, bid Indil farewell graciously and departed leaving only Boromir.
Indil did not meet Boromir's gaze as she rose from her position and began to pack away the orcish weapons. Moving quietly he joined her at the sideboard and assisted her in putting the weapons into the sackcloth.
"Tell me Lady Indil where does one come by so many tools of orcish make?"
Indil smiled at the questioning eyebrow Boromir raised in her direction. He still considered her a Lady after all that she had said and revealed?
"Why my Lord all are easily come by in the wilds. To answer plainly some I have kept from past travels and others were taken by the sons of Lord Elrond in recent ventures beyond the forests of Imraldis. I understand they keep some trophies of their encounters and they considerately allowed me the use of them for our meetings."
Boromir looked at Indil sceptically as she placed the last of the swords into the cloth bag leaving the sideboard strangely devoid of objects. Smiling at him Indil bent to lift the bag to have it taken from her gently by Boromir.
"Allow me, my Lady."
Gritting her teeth inwardly Indil forced a smile at Boromir who waited on her to move to the door. Giving way to his wishes Indil walked before him and through the door followed by a confused and intrigued Steward.