Chapter 4: The Council of Elrond

There was much hustle and bustle over the next two weeks. Several new arrivals came to Rivendell, all seemingly very important. First was a fair-sized group of Elves with silvery-blue hair and tanned skin. Strider explained that there were Elves of the Grey Havens, far to the west of the Shire. Their leader was called Cirdan and was renowned as the greatest shipwright in Middle Earth.

Next came a second group of Elves with fair faces, golden hair and keen eyes. Their leader, Legolas, was a Prince in a forest called Mirkwood.

Later the same day, two Dwarves arrived, one with grey hair and the other with red. Both wore sturdy armor and gleaming axes hung from their belts. Their names were Gloin and Gimli. Frodo's uncle Bilbo ran out and happily greeted Gloin. Frodo explained that Gloin had been one of the Dwarves with whom Bilbo had gone on an adventure over sixty years before. Gimli, as it turned out, was Gloin's only son.

A few days later, there arrived a tall human man on a horse. He had light auburn hair and on his back there hung a round shield. At his hips were a sword and a great ivory horn, rimmed with gold. Nobody seemed to know him personally, but his name was Boromir and he had come from Gondor, a country of Men far to the south.

"Why are all these people here?" Harry asked Bilbo as Rivendell's population and guests sat at dinner that night.

Bilbo shook his head. "I don't know for certain. Gloin said only that Elrond sent an emissary to the Lonely Mountain with a message of great importance for King Dain's ears only. I would venture a guess that is has something to do with my old Ring." He shook his head. "If I had known how much trouble it would cause, I would have thrown it away."

"And that may have proved a far worse choice." said Gandalf, leaning over. "But hush about it now! That is not a subject, I think, that Lord Elrond wants discussed before its time."

Harry and Draco had never met anyone quite like Bilbo. Unlike most old people, with a few exceptions, Bilbo was actually very cool. And Bilbo was delighted to have an audience who had never heard his tales before and was willing to listen. He also eagerly pressed Harry and Draco for stories about Hogwarts, though Harry did most of the talking. Draco's mood had improved marginally during his time in Rivendell, but he was obviously still cranky about their predicament.

They were walking through one of Rivendell's many gardens with Frodo, Sam and Bilbo, listening while the old Hobbit recounted his adventure with the Dwarves. "...And then Gollum says, 'Curse it! Curse the Baggins we hates it forever!' But I was already long gone. The old villain didn't dare go out where the Goblins might have caught him, even with the Ring."

"Though a certain burglar didn't share the same caution." said a voice.

They turned to find Gandalf walking up the path towards them. Bilbo snorted. "Oh come on, Gandalf. I out of it alright didn't I?"

"Yes, but not before ruining your favorite waistcoat, as I seem to recall you lamenting about many times."

Bilbo chuckled. "Ah yes. Though it really was quite a nice waistcoat. But somehow, I get the feeling that is not what you came to discuss, old friend."

"Indeed not." said the Wizard. "The Council is about to start. I have come to collect you and Frodo."

"Us?" asked Frodo, surprised.

"Yes." said Gandalf. "The both of you are to represent the Hobbits in the meeting, and your parts in the tale of the Ring are very important. Harry, Draco, you are both to come as well."

They were taken aback. "Why us?" asked Draco.

"You will find that out soon enough. Now come."

They left, trying to keep up with Gandalf's long stride. Sam, trotted along behind them, forgotten for the moment.

The rest of the Council was seated when they arrived. Gandalf indicated where they should sit.

"Welcome, all." began Elrond. "Thank you for answering my summons upon such short notice. For those who have not met, allow me to introduce you in order. This is Strider of the Dunedain. Next to him is Glorfindel of Imladris, Boromir of Gondor, Gloin and his son Gimli of Erebor, Cirdan of the Grey Havens, Legolas son of Thranduil of Mirkwood, Gandalf the Grey, known to some as Mithrandir of the White Council, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins of the Shire, and finally, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy of the land of England."

All eyes, it seemed, were on Harry and Draco, but Boromir was the only one to voice his opinions. "Forgive me, Lord Elrond, but who are these two children? I, for one, have never seen any like them. Nor have I heard of this 'England.' How do we know that they are not spies of the Dark Lord?"

Draco glared at him. "How do we know YOU aren't a spy?" he asked.

Boromir's ayes went wide. "Of all the cheek-"

"Be silent both of you." interrupted Elrond. "Boromir, I will vouch for Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. That should be enough for you. Now let us begin. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." The blue-eyed Hobbit got up slowly and set the Ring down on the pedestal in the center of the gathering. A murmur rippled through the Council. Harry's scar suddenly twinged as if a pins-and-needles hex had been placed on it. "Many know parts of this Ring's tale, but few know it in full." said Elrond. "It began with the forging of the Great Rings, many centuries ago. The three most powerful were given to the Elves, they being immortal and the wisest of all the races of Middle Earth. These remain hidden to this day. Seven were given to the Dwarf Lords, the great miners and craftsmen of the Mountain Halls. Some of these remain, though many were either lost in the Mines of Moria or consumed in the fires of the Dragon, Smaug. And nine...Nine Rings were given to the Kings of Men, all of whom desired power above all else. Within these Rings was bound the strength and will to govern Middle Earth and all its people. But all were deceived. For another Ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord, Sauron, forged a Master Ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he bound a portion of his very soul. And so, it carries his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One Ring to Rule Them All, One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All, and in the Darkness, Bind Them. This is the One Ring here before you. During the final battle of the Last Alliance, at the foot of Mount Doom, Isildur cut it from Sauron's hand. He took it for his own, but he was killed by Orcs and it fell into the river, Anduin. We cannot be sure of what happened to it after that, but we do know that it fell into the hands of a creature called Gollum who took it deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains where it poisoned his mind for many centuries. And here, I pass the story over to Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.

Bilbo stood and recounted the tale of his adventures in Gollum's Cave, how he fell when he and the Dwarves were attacked by Goblins, how he accidentally found the Ring while looking for a way out, how he outwitted Gollum in a game of riddles and how he escaped by wearing it.

"That will do for now, Bilbo." said Elrond. "I think now the time has come for Frodo Baggins, who bore the Ring here from the Shire, to tell his part in this tale."

A bit more reluctantly that Bilbo had, Frodo stood and told of how Bilbo left the Ring to him after his 111th birthday party and of how Gandalf set he and Sam out on their journey. He told of how Merry and Pippin joined them and how they met Harry and Draco on the road. The eyes of the Council widened as Frodo told of being stabbed by the Ringwraith on Weathertop. "Many of my people have fallen to the blades of the Nine." said Boromir. "You Hobbits must be made of sterner stuff than you look." Frodo continued up to the point when the Wraiths were carried away by Elrond's flood.

"Thank you, Frodo." said Elrond. "So, you all see how dire the situation truly is. Sauron hunts for this Ring with his mightiest servants and he has drawn the wizard Saruman to his side. Strangers from distant lands and friends of old alike, 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. The next course of action must be decided by us here today."

Boromir stood and spoke slowly. "In a dream, I saw the Eastern Sky grow dark. But in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice cried out, 'The hour of doom is at hand, for Isildur's bane is found!' And here it is...Isildur's Bane..." He took a step towards the pedestal and put out his hand as if to take the Ring. Harry, seeing this, drew his wand, ready to cast 'Stupify,' and Elrond shouted the man's name sharply, but Gandalf beat them to the punch.

"ASH NAZG DURBATULUK, ASH NAZG GIMBATUL, ASH NAZG THRAKATULUK, AGH BURSUM-ISI KRIMPATUL!"

Harry's scar went nuts. He cried out and clutched at it. It burned just like whenever Voldemort was experiencing a strong emotion. The Elves too appeared to be in pain. They clasped their hands over their ears and squeezed their eyes shut. But as the echoing voice faded, so too did the pain.

"Never before has any voice dared utter the words of that tongue here in Imladris, Gandalf!" said Elrond angrily.

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

But Boromir wasn't finished. "Long have my people kept the forces of Mordor at bay! Many good men have paid the price to keep your lands safe! We will never retreat from our duty. We will fight the armies of the Dark Lord to the last man! But need that come to pass? I say that this Ring is a gift! A gift to all the foes of Mordor! You, Lord Elrond, could wear the Ring and wield great power! Or you, Mithrandir! Or if neither of you is willing, then give Gondor the Weapon of the Enemy! Let us use it against him!"

"Shut up." thought Harry. Only when he found everyone staring at him did he realize he had voiced this aloud.

"What did you just say to me, boy?" said Boromir dangerously.

Harry swallowed hard, but he wasn't about to back out now. "I said 'shut up.' I may not be from this land, but I know that whatever else this Ring may be, it's evil. Something created by evil can't be good."

"Be silent!" spat Boromir. "You have no idea what hardships my people have faced fighting back the Dark Lord. With this thing in our hands, we can overthrow him!"

"You cannot wield it!" said Strider suddenly. "None of us can! The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master!"

Boromir looked at him as a Wizard might look at a disobedient House Elf. "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" he sneered.

Legolas shot to his feet. "This is no mere Ranger! He is Aragorn, Son of Arathorn! You owe him your allegiance!"

Harry and Draco looked around confused. Harry remembered Gandalf saying the name Aragorn before, but he had no idea that was Strider's real name.

"Aragorn?" said Boromir, not even trying to hide his contempt. "This is Isildur's Heir?"

"And heir to the Throne of Gondor." said Legolas proudly.

There was a moment of silence in which Boromir and Legolas simply stood glaring at each other. Harry and Draco exchanged a look. This was huge news. Strider, a King?

Aragorn broke the silence. "Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas) he said. The Elf glanced at him and sat.

"Gondor has no King." said Boromir, giving Aragorn a look of contempt. "Gondor needs no King."

"Aragorn and Harry are right." said Gandalf. "We cannot use it."

"We have only one choice." said Elrond. "The Ring must be destroyed."

Everyone else nodded in agreement except Frodo and Bilbo who both looked slightly ill and Boromir, who sighed loudly and threw his hands up, but .

"Then what the hell are we just sitting around for?" asked Draco. He drew his wand and pointed it at the Ring.

"Draco wait!" warned Elrond, but it was too late.

"Reducto!" A magical blast hit the Ring. There was suddenly a great flash, and a tremendous bang and when the smoke cleared, Draco was on the ground on his backside, looking like he had been slapped. And yet, the Ring was still right where it had been, untouched.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Draco Malfoy, by any craft that we here possess." said Elrond. "The Ring was made in the fires of Mt. Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fires from whence it came! One of you must do this."

Several long moments of silence followed before Boromir spoke up again. "One does not simply walk into Mordor." he said quietly. "It's Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the Great Eye is ever watchful. 'Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"

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

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

"And if you fail what then?" pressed Boromir. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" shouted Gloin, joining his son's cause.

That started it. Everyone except Aragorn, the Hobbits, Draco and Harry began shouting. Harry just dropped his head into his hands. This was getting them nowhere. Suddenly, he heard a small voice next to him ."I will take it!" Harry looked with shock over at Frodo who was standing with a defiant look in his eyes. "I will take it!" he shouted louder. This time, it cut through the din of the crowd and everyone stopped to gape at him. "I will take the Ring to Mordor! Though...I do not know the way." Gloin grinned and winked at Bilbo, who was beaming at his nephew.

A smile of enormous pride spread across Gandalf's face. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." He came over to stand behind the Hobbit.

Aragorn also stood and knelt before Frodo. "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."

"And you have my bow." joined in Legolas.

Gimli grinned through his beard. "And my axe!"

Harry had no idea what came over him then, but he also stood. "And my wand!"

"Potter!" hissed Draco. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Harry ignored him. "You're going to need all the help you can get. Especially if the Wraiths show up again." Draco stood with a scowl on his face and joined the group. Harry raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you want to help."

"Of course I don't want to help, Potter. But I'm not going to sit here rotting while you play at being a hero."

Boromir stood and looked at Frodo. "You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

A cry of indignation went up from a bush near the platform where they sat. Sam jumped out and ran over to stand next to Frodo. "Mr. Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me!"

Despite his annoyance, Elrond smiled. "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

"OI! We're coming to!" Elrond whirled to find Merry and Pippin running up the path towards them. "You'll have to send us off tied up in a sack to stop us!" declared Merry.

"Anyways," chimed in Pippin. "You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing."

"Well that rules you out, Pip." muttered Merry.

"Eleven companions." said Elrond. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"