Authors Note: Hi all I am so sorry about the delay regarding this chapter. It has literally been saved on my computer hard drive for the past month but I just never got round to uploading it. Teaching practice has finished and I'm back to college monday so I will have plenty of time to write and continue on with this story. Please let there be no doubt about my commitment to writing a full and complete story. Hopefully I haven't become too rusty over my absence!Lol Thanks for the reviews as always they are, and I mean it, appreciated. Enjoy!!
Indil closed the door to the Great Hall unnoticed by the small group seated in the corner. Silently she stood observing them laugh merrily amongst each other before deigning to move closer.
"Just as well that I had something to eat . . . the tale of Smaug always leaves me with a huge appetite!"
"My favourite tale Master Bilbo and make no mistake about it . . ."
Frodo sat beside his Uncle smiling at the young gardener.
"You always say that Sam."
"Of course I do Mister Frodo lest Master Bilbo forgets!"
"I doubt Bilbo ever forgets a compliment!" laughed Pippin.
"I have to agree with Sam. The tale of Smaug happens to be a favourite of mine as well." Grinned Indil, winking at the blushing Hobbit.
"Lady Indil, as always it is a pleasure to see you. You have been absent from the halls of Rivendell for far too long."
Indil moved to help the elderly hobbit from his chair.
"And I never leave without hearing one of your tales Master Hobbit. Shall you be reciting tonight in the Hall of Fire. . . . .or need I ask?"
"I shall and would be glad if you would honour me with your presence. There shall be a new tale for tonight in your honour."
"You always knew how to flatter me Master Bilbo. Of course I shall be present, a new tale from a storyteller such as yourself is not one to be missed!"
The stooped hobbit smiled at Indil, giving her hand a firm squeeze before gripping his knot riddled walking stick.
"Then I shall have to prepare. Gildor should be in the Hall of Fire. I wonder what criticism he will level at me this time . . . ." muttered Bilbo distractedly as he left.
The remaining four hobbits and Istar stood quietly, each in their own way admiring the old hobbits' tenacity.
"Well I suppose we should return to the meeting." Stated Indil hesitantly not wanting to break the peaceful mood that had stolen over the group.
"Right you are Lady Indil. Do the others know we are reconvening?"
"Prince Leg . . . . Legolas has just gone to inform Aragorn. I myself have not encountered Boromir or Gimli. Do you happen to know where they might be Pippin?"
Pippins' face became a picture of concentration as he searched for an answer.
"They said they would go to the stables to see if Lord Boromirs' horse was in good order." Provided Merry after a while.
"Thank you Merry. I shall meet you all after I have found Gimli and Boromir."
Nodding her head Indil walked out of the hall and in the direction of the stables, the strains of an argument growing faint behind her.
"Merry she asked me!"
"You were taking too long Pip. I do not see why you are so angry!"
Indil made it to the stables in good time with few elves to slow her progress. Thankfully Boromir and Gimli had not moved off, instead they stood admiring a coal black stallion in the stable opposite to Boromirs' mount.
"A fine animal. . . . it must be of Rohirrim stock."
Boromir nodded his head in agreement.
The stallion stood at least sixteen hands high with a broad chest and muscled flanks. It had, by the look of it, war horse blood and yet its' legs were too slim, more akin to that of a racing horse.
"Oh Tintreach is much more than just a horse of the Rohirrim Master Gimli."
The man and dwarve jumped slightly at the voice behind them.
"He was a gift from some elven friends for a service I provided. Apparently Tintreach is not only of Rohirrim heritage but also of an elven line as well."
Indil stepped into the stable beside the mighty beast, almost dwarfed by its' height. Running her hands lovingly along its neck and back she spoke to it softly in a tongue neither dwarf or man could understand.
"He has the body of a war horse but his legs are that of a racer."
Indil smiled at Boromirs' confusion.
"Quite. While Tintreachs' father was a Rohirric war horse his mother was of an elven line favoured for the lightness of step and graceful gait. He is one of a kind and loyal to no end."
Boromir swore the horse was looking at him as if to assess whether he was of any importance or not. Its brown eyes examining both man and dwarf where they stood.
"In any case I believe we have a meeting to return to?"
Indil smiled slightly surprised at the dwarfs' abrupt statement.
"Quite right master Gimli. How did you know?"
"Ways and means lass, ways and means. What else would you be coming down looking for myself and Lord Boromir here?"
"To enjoy your delightful company master dwarf?" grinned Indil, enjoying the bout of logic.
Boromir scoffed loudly.
"Our company indeed. Well I dare say we have some impatient companions awaiting us . . ."
The dwarf and man had reached the stable entrance before they noticed the Istar had not followed.
"Are you going to join us Lady Indil?" inquired Boromir, breaking the contemplative stare that dominated the lady in questions' face.
"I will join you presently. I think I shall just ensure that Tintreach has all he requires."
"Come along lad ye can never tell with these wizard types." Asserted Gimli shaking his head as he moved off.
Boromir hesitated for but a moment until Indil smiled reassuringly at him. Satisfied he glanced back fleetingly before exiting the stables.
Indil faltered slightly before she moved back to Tintreachs' stable. Picking up a brush left to one side she began rubbing the stallion down. Working from his neck to shoulders she quietened the brush strokes along his forelocks and tried to focus on every sound she could hear . . . . There it was . . . . barely noticeable but there. Someone was watching her, someone. . . . .it had to be an elf, no dwarf or hobbit could remain that quiet. No she would have detected them already. Even a hardened ranger would find it difficult to soften their breathing to that level. It could only be an elf.
Indil continued brushing down her stallion talking to it gently as if she were by herself, taking as much time as she dared without raising the suspicions of her mysterious guardian. When she had finished she left the stables and Tintreach behind for the meeting room.
Again the faint scuffing of elven leather reverberated subtly, virtually hidden by the sounds of others working behind the wooden doors of Rivendell. This sound was distinct, purposeful. Every time Indil stopped briefly to greet a passing elf the sound would stop immediately.
"Why would and elf be following me?" mused Indil quietly as the meeting room loomed ever closer.
Trying to appear as casual as possible Indil reached for the handle of the door risking a glance over one shoulder before she entered. A flash of a brown cloak was all she managed to glimpse before she closed the door.
"Glad to see you could make it lass." Boomed Gimli.
"I apologise master dwarf and to all seated in this room. I am afraid Tintreach was not behaving and so I had to have a talk with a stable hand. It took longer than I expected." Replied Indil smoothly allowing the right amount of concern seep into her voice.
"No matter. Let's get this over and done with."
Indil strode to the top of the table ignoring the looks of surprise that flitted across the faces of her companions. Facing the company she drew in a deep breath before beginning.
"We cannot change what is. We can only effect what might be. So I suggest that we accept our situation and our position, do our best with what we have and go about reducing the advantages our enemy has over us."
Nodding in silent agreement the Fellowship looked about the table with new resolve.
"I have pointed out what I can of our enemy. Now I will turn my eye to this Fellowship."
The silence deepened suddenly, the hobbits looked fearful, Legolas stern, Aragorn thoughtful, Gimli stubborn and Boromir anxious. It was ironic how each persons idiosyncrasies became abundantly clear under stress.
The pulling of a shirt sleeve, a tightening of the muscles around the eyes and the occasional wringing of hands all belied the true feelings of the group despite their efforts to remain as outwardly calm as possible.
"Aragorn, you are a master huntsman, chieftain of the Dunedain. Your skill and experience in battle will be crucial. Every trick you know of to keep this Fellowship concealed will be called upon. Let the past be the past, forget your doubts; they cripple you."
Grimacing slightly Aragorn nodded, his fists locked before him in thought.
"Legolas, you are the only elven representative. Your years of war and knowledge will be of great benefit. You shall be key in negotiating the Fellowships' way through elven territory. Your long range capabilities invaluable. To you I say this; leave old rivalries aside. They do not matter, what matters is the fate of this company."
The elven prince sat ramrod straight in his chair, inclined his head tersely in Indil's direction.
"Gimli, strength and steadfastness are your contributions to this quest. It takes a lot for a dwarf to lose hope, do not let worries of the future weigh you down. Likewise leave old rivalries behind, they do nothing for your cause. This Fellowship needs a rock to lean on, you are it."
Gimli grunted in what Indil presumed was an affirmative answer. Turning to Boromir she had to pause before beginning.
"Boromir, you have seen the evil that is facing us. You have fought it, you have defeated it. Now everything relies on secrecy. Your bravery is no secret however and this company shall need whatever reserves of energy you have. Step out from your fathers' shadow and into your own destiny, make of it what you will. Remember you are Gondor wherever you may go."
The Gondorian shifted slightly in his seat, eyes fixed on the figure at the head of the table. Turning her eyes on the hobbits Indil had to smile at the nervousness etched on their faces.
"My dear Hobbits, far and long have I travelled but hobbits never cease to amaze me. The measure of most elves, dwarves and men is easily taken but the measure of your kind is . . . impossible to shape or describe. Merry, Pippin though you are the light hearted souls of this group you hide your other talents quite well. Your loyalty, courage and quick thinking will stand to you in the future."
Pippin and Merry beamed delightedly at Indil, giving each other congratulatory looks from the corners of their eyes.
"However you must always remember the gravity of this task and recognise when you need to be alert and attentive. Sam I could not find a worthier hobbit to travel on this quest if I took years to comb the Shire for your mettle. Determined and resourceful you shall never lead anyone wrong. Frodo here is someone to rely on when all else fails."
Both Hobbits accepted the Istars' words quietly sharing a brief look to confirm the other was taking in what was being said.
"Frodo I do not need to go into your character since your actions speak clearly to all who have met you. Brave, considerate and a true soul you need no advice from me."
Something in the Hobbits' eyes spoke to Indil of his apprehension. She could sense his fear, see it in his posture, read it in the constant checking of his coat pocket. The darkness that seeped from therein a gentle reminder to Indil of all that lay ahead.
"Remember my friends fate is too grand a thing to dwell upon. It has more twists and turns than a good Shire path, we cannot predict where it will lead to but can only put one foot in front of the other and face what may come; good or bad. I apologise for the brevity of these meetings but we did not have as much time as I would have liked. Then again you never have enough time when nothing of consequence is coming and too little of it when you have more than you can deal with."
Laughing silently to herself Indil drew her cloak about her as she stood making her lofty frame appear even taller. Gazing about the room she emblazened the memory into her mind.
"I had wished to talk of Saruman himself but we have no time instead I give you this advice; disregard any sweet words that drip from that black tongue of his. They are worthless and Saruman excels at deception. Gandalf has informed me that the company shall be leaving in two days, three at the very most. Until then I suggest you prepare yourselves be it lessons in weaponry, supplies for the road ahead or messages for those you leave behind."
The weight of Indils' statement added to the bleak atmosphere that suffused the chamber. Slowly the company rose from their seats to return to their quarters before dinner. The Hobbits were the last of the group, as if leaving the room would truly signal the beginnings of hard times ahead. When they finally did leave Indil noticed an unusual absence.
"Boromir did not wait, he has too much on his mind." Sighed Indil. "Perhaps I should not have spoken to each separately but I have no time to speak alone with each of them."
The fire crackled and spit throwing embers from the hearth and onto the rug. Kneading her temples before the fire Indil remained standing as she considered each and every aspect of the task ahead. Only one nagged at her conscience, Radagast. The one factor she could not place, predict or consider and it annoyed her to no end. Lifting her hands from her face Indil allowed the warmth of the fire to cover her skin and ease the tension that writhed below the surface.
"Radagast must be found."
Ignoring the tiredness seeping through her limbs Indils strode from the room intent on finding the Lord of Rivendell.