Yes, 2 blissful weeks of no school! If only I didn't have a 9-page paper due the day I come back. Sometimes being a freshman really stinks.
Hey, you all just learned a valuable fact about my life! Well, not really valuable, but an insight to me nonetheless (that is weird looking word). Okay, enough rambling.
Disclaimer: My brain cannot think of a clever pun at this time. I don't own Lord of the Rings, plain and simple truth. Of course, my lawyers always seem to miss that part.
Chapter 15 Recap:
"Four hobbits were hiding on the side of the road. Merry and Pippin were in my dream!" she said to herself.
(A/N- See the beginning of chapter 13, if you need a recap of this particular dream. Abby's had a lot of them, I know, and she's gonna get more.)
This just made her think harder.
'Did I see something that actually happened? How could I? I don't get visions. There's now way I could of even guessed-"
She was so tired; she didn't even finish her train of thought. She just let the sun from the window warm her face as she fell asleep.
Chapter 16:
It was the night before the council, so of course Abigail couldn't sleep. It must have been at least midnight, but she couldn't stay in her room, she was going insane! She decided to take a walk. She threw on a vest and a cloak over her white and gray nightgown, making it look like a suitable outfit to go out in public with. Not like she thought many people would be up anyway.
She opened the door, and walked out as quietly as possibly. This is something Haldir would really not want her doing. When she was a safe distance, she began to walk normally, and thought about where she should go.
She remembered Arwen had showed her a nice courtyard with many murals.
'Sounds like as good a place as any,' she thought. She casually glanced at the sky, and gasped. Abigail could see almost every star there was to see. Far to the east, she saw Earendil, on of the most glowing stars.
'That's where Lorien is. I must be farther away than I think.'
She kept walking and staring at the same time. When she reached a covered area, she began to pay attention again,
"Lucky I didn't run into anyway," she murmured. She had made it to the entrance of the courtyard, when she heard voices talking. She had been taught good listening skills, and was able to make out their soft voices.
"The shards of Narsil! The blade that cut the ring from Sauron's hand!" one man said. She heard the same one give a tiny gasp. "It's still sharp." Then there was silence for a moment. Again the voice spoke,
"But no more than a broken heirloom!"
There was a small crash, which sounded like a sword. Then she heard footstep coming her way. She quickly wedged herself in a corner, not wanting to be discovered eavesdropping. Thankfully, the man paid no attention to her and strode past.
He was not an elf, she noticed, and he wore the symbol of a pale tree on his vest.
"A man from Gondor. Could it be the stewards son?"
She was about to leave, but stopped when she heard Arwen's voice.
"Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."
A different man spoke now.
"The same blood flows in my veins. Same weakness."
Your time will come," she said. "You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it. "A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor. Ú or le a ú or nin."
Abigail was surprised at the tone of Arwen's voice. It was…loving. Feeling she had overstayed her welcome, she silently slipped away.
Aragorn's POV
He was about to walk away with Arwen, when he noticed the sound of footsteps. While they were moving away, they had started right around the corner. He furrowed his brow slightly. He didn't like people listening in when not invited (who does?). Not wanting to bother Arwen, he kept silent. But then he thought he saw a streak of white nightgown running through the streets and he could have sworn their eyes had met for a moment.
Back to Abby
She cursed herself for looking back. She thought for sure he had seen her, but she was glad when no protests came. She slowed her pace, and went more calmly back to her room. While no she had questions about the two men, she had relaxed a bit on the subject of her council. When she finally made it back to her room, she fell asleep within minutes.
(A/N-Just thought I'd put the translation of the elvish, it case you don't remember. The Shadow does not hold sway yet, not over you and not over me.)
Haldir woke her up early, which she was not happy about considering her late night escapades she just had.
"Today is the big day, dear, I though you would like some prepare time," he explained.
"I suppose, " she yawned. "When is the council?"
"11:00, and it's 8:30 now."
"Well, let's find some food first. I can't look pretty on an empty stomach."
After a light breakfast, for Abigail feared she wouldn't be able to hold it, she went back to her room to change. She tried to refuse the handmaiden's that were there to dress her.
"I'm perfectly capable of putting on a dress!" she yelled.
Haldir insisted, though, so she reluctantly let one stay with her.
"My name is Gwenneth," she introduced. "But you can call me Gwen, my lady."
'A nickname, that's different for a formal elf,' she thought.
"Okay Gwen, but then you must call me Abby, deal?"
"Deal," the elf said. "Oh I just love dressing you mortals, because you always start out such a mess!"
'Gee, thanks,' Abby thought. But she knew Gwen didn't mean any harm by it, and it was partially true.
"Let's see," Gwen walked circled her. "Your skin is pale, even though you spend all the time outdoors. Better put you in a darker color." Gwen smiled. "I see you still get those cute freckles, though."
Abby blushed.
"A blush too! This is perfect," she exclaimed. "I definitely must put you in red! At first I was thinking blue, because of your eyes, but red will bring out that rosiness and your hair. Now let's see, what type of cut-"
Gwen began to go through Abby's closet like a maniac, and she tried her best to not laugh. Soon Gwen found was she was looking for, and put it on Abby. Then she forced her into a chair sitting in front of a mirror.
"What should I do with your hair? A coil bun would be great look for a mortal woman." She messed around with Abby's hair for a second and then stopped.
"Although, you are representing an elvish city. Maybe we should go with plaits or braids. Yes, I think and elvish style would be better."
She undid what she had done, and started something new.
A while later Haldir came in the room.
"Another dark dress? I'm beginning to think you're depressed," he teased.
"Nonsense, my lord, it brings out her features nicely. Abby stop, fiddling with your hair!" Gwen scolded.
Abby nodded, "Yes ma'am."
She smiled. "You look lovely dear. You'll be the bell of the bale. Good luck!" She then went out the door with a swish of her skirt.
"Thank goodness you let me send the rest away, I could hardly handle her!" Abigail said.
"Well, Gwenneth is one of the best in the city. Thought I stand by what I said, I would love to see you in brighter color's," he said.
"The sky is the only thing that is bright today, for my mind certainly isn't."
"Just relax, and show no fear!" he encouraged.
"Right, no fear," she said. "What's the time now?" she asked.
"I believe it's around 10:30."
"If I leave now, I'll get there early. Which might be a good thing. Besides, I usually get lost anyway."
He chuckled. "I swear child, you would lose your head if it wasn't attached."
"I've lost my head many times, Haldir, often to the clouds," she grinned.
"Try to stay on earth for the time being, alright?" He kissed the top of her head gently.
"Are you sure you can't come with me?" she pleaded once more.
"I'm positive. You will be wonderful, now go!" he pushed her out the door.
She reached the council circle in almost 10 minutes. She found a few very intimidating people were already there, mainly elves.
"I hope Haldir sends flowers to my funeral," she gulped nervously.
When she came closer, she saw Lord Elrond was sitting alone. She decided he would be the safest person to talk to.
He noticed her. "Ah, Lady Abigail. You will be sitting and the end, just over there," he pointed.
"Away from all the people, thanks," she said.
"Would you rather leave now?" he asked, really getting to the point.
Abigail stared at him for a moment. Was he giving permission? Is it that easy?
"Actually no," she said, shocking herself at what she had just said.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why the change of heart?"
"Lorien has given me so much, if this is what they truly ask of me, it is my duty to do it. I am supposed to have faith. In dangerous times there is no room for doubt, correct?"
"Correct," he smiled. "There is more to you than meets the eye, Abigail. You'll surprise us all in the end."
"Um, thank you, my lord."
She was still nervous, but she knew what she was doing was right. Haldir believed in her and it was what Galadriel was expecting of her. She needed to listen to her elders, be respectful and have faith.
Slowly, more people began to file in and fill the circle of seats.
Frodo's POV, sort of
Frodo was walking in close besides Gandalf, with one hand protectively over the ring."
"Don't worry so much Frodo. You are part of the reason this council is happening, they aren't going to bite you," the wizard said.
"Was that suppose to make me feel better, Gandalf?"
"Ho, hum, hum," was all the old man mumbled.
When they arrived at the council, Frodo studied the array of elves, men and dwarves. Only two elements seemed out of place: him, and a woman that was talking with Lord Elrond.
"Gandalf, is that another one of Elrond's daughters?"
"No, Frodo. He has but one daughter and that is Arwen.'
As the bells chimed 11:00, everyone began to take their seats. He was surprised to find that the woman sat down on his right, at the very end of the row. He noticed she was not looking up, but staring intently at he dress.
Abigail's POV
She looked out of the corner of her eye who she was sitting next to. It was a simple hobbit, but she could feel an evil coming off of him. A very tempting power that was radiating around him
'He must be the Halfling with the ring,' she thought.
She was about to talk, when Elrond cleared his throat.
General POV
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of-"
"Excuse me, my Lord, I do hate to interrupt but I believe someone does not belong here," a man said, staring accusingly.
Abigail recognized him as the man from last night.
"Lord Boromir, I presume," she muttered.
Frodo had heard, though, and took a quick glance at her. She did not look very happy.
"If you please, steward's son, she is a representative from Lorien." Elrond spoke the last part more loudly. "Lady Abigail is welcomed to stay and listen. The only one who can undo this decision is the Lady Galadriel, and she isn't here right now," he announced.
Aragorn looked up sharply.
'Abigail? The mortal girl? Haldir said she was only here for a-well I guess he was lying. Why couldn't he tell me the truth, I thought we had trust?' He made a mental note to confront him later. Now, he took a good look at Abigail.
She was wearing a deep red dress with a gold hem. It had a high collar that wrapped around he necks and a loose bottom that scraped the floor. Her hair had two small braids on either side that were tied to the back. She looked very elvish and very pretty.
He quickly disregarded that last thought.
'Get a hold of yourself Aragorn, you're at a council not a party.'
Anyway, everyone seemed to get madder at Lord Elrond's last statement.
"This is an insult and outrage! She can't represent any part of the elvish race! She's a human!" an elf from Mirkwood said (not Legolas).
"She's unfit and inferior to be part of this discussion!" a man cried.
"This is a man's council!" shouted a dwarf.
"Really, a man's council? And here I thought we were all just people trying to stop a horrible enemy from killing the earth!" Abigail snapped. She immediately paled afterwards,
'Try to be respectful, try not to get punched,' she kept telling herself.
It looked like there was about to be another outrage, so Elrond quickly interfered.
"Enough! Hold your tongues and insults, all of you! We all do have a common interest, and that's to help save our future," he bellowed.
"It does not matter how or why, but Lady Abigail is here now and she will stay. Nothing can be done! I pray to the Valar that you can be civilized and treat everyone, including her, like a rightful council member."
The angry vibe still lingered in the air, but Elrond had got them to shut up for the moment.
"As I was saying, 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 bounds to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo.
In silent awe, the room watched the Hobbit place a small gold object on the pedestal.
Whispers were heard all over as Frodo sat down in his chair. Gandalf put a hand gently on his shoulder.
"It is true."
"It still exists."
"The doom of man."
Boromir was the first to speak up. "Why not see the ring as a gift, use it to our will?" He stood up. "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor behind their gate. By our soldier's blood are you kept safe! Give the weapon to Gondor, let us use it against Him!"
"You cannot wield it! None of us are able. The one rings answers only to Sauron, it will be kept by no one else or listen to another master."
(A/N-I'm using a mix of movie script and my own words.)
Abigail did not know the man's face, but she knew his voice. It was the other from the courtyard, the one with Arwen. She thought she was mistaken, thought, because Arwen never mentioned a man, nonetheless one she was romantically involved with.
Boromir turned harsh again. "What would a ranger know of this matter?"
An elf stood up, and spoke with a threatening tone,
"This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn!"
"Aragorn?" Boromir asked with disbelief. "This is Isildur's heir?'
"Which means he is the heir to the throne of Gondor."
Abigail noted the surprised look on Frodo face, but she was sure she had the same one. She knew Aragorn was going to be at the council, but after hearing so many things about him, it was kind of strange to actually see him.
Aragorn caught her staring, and she quickly looked the other way. He turned his attention back to the elf.
"Havo dad, Legolas."
Abigail turned her attention to the elf too.
"Legolas, the prince of Mirkwood. I should of known by the blonde hair and clothes," she mused.
"Gondor needs no king," Boromir sneered, and then sat back down.
"Aragorn is right. It is impossible and too dangerous to use," agreed Gandalf.
"Then you leave yourselves with one choice. The Ring must be destroyed, but this cannot be done with any weapon we here posses. The ring can only be unmade by the fiery chasm of Mount Doom, in Mordor. It must be taken deep into the black land and be destroyed in the cavern from whence it came."
The crowd was silenced again.
"One of you must do this," Lord Elrond finished.
Abigail swore she heard the ring whisper, "Ash Nazg".
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. There are creatures that lie there that we have yet to see or hear of. And the great Eye is ever watchful. The land is so barren, and that even the air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly," he said, almost regretfully.
"Have you heard nothing? The ring must be destroyed!" Legolas shouted.
"Oh, and I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" a dwarf accused.
"Lord Gimli," Elrond warned, but Gimli paid no heed.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!"
All of the elves rose to their defense, and the dwarves rose to counter.
"And what if we fail? What happen when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Aragorn took a stride towards Boromir. Gandalf walked towards them and said,
"Do you not understand that while we bicker, Sauron's power grows?"
'Good news, no one is insulting me anymore, bad news, they're fighting each other,' Abigail thought grimly.
She looked toward the ring, and saw what looked like an eye of fire in its band.
'It wants this. The ring enjoys the chaos,' she thought.
"Men!" she muttered and shook her head.
Frodo, the only other quiet being, looked up at her and this time she looked back.
"What can one say, to silence the ignorant tones of men?" she mused to him.
"I know one thing that would work," Frodo answered. "But if I say it there's no turning back."
"No one can turn back, Frodo," she said with kindness. "To live a life you can only move forward with your friends keeping you on the right path."
Frodo thought of Sam and looked into her eyes.
She gave a small smile and nodded.
He did not know why, but that was all the encouragement he needed.
"I will take it! I will take it!" he yelled.
Soon, all the men ceased fighting to listen to the hobbit.
"That certainly worked," Abigail muttered.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor," he went on. "Though…I do not know the way."
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear," Gandalf said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"If by my life or death, I can protect you, will," Aragorn followed. "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow," said Legolas.
"And my axe!" Gimli said.
Boromir approached, slightly cautious. "You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
Abigail watched these four gather around Frodo. She was moved by their bravery and loyalty. She wanted the same feeling of righteousness.
'There's no way I'm missing out on this,' she thought, sort of naively.
"I will join you as well," she spoke quickly, trying to 'outrun' the protesters. "I know you all doubt it, but I can fight among many other skills. I will not be a burden. I can prove my determination and trust, like any one of you men could," she said, with slight emphasis 'men'. She crouched down to look at Frodo, face to face. "I give you my oath."
She saw at least a dozen faces ready to protest, when a well-timed interruption came.
"Hey! Mister Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me," Sam came out of the bushed.
Abigail then saw Merry and Pippin come out from behind the pillars.
"Wait, we're coming too!"
Elrond sighed. "It's hardly possible to separate you hobbits, even when only one is summoned to a secret council."
"That's right! You'd have to tie us in a sack to send us home!" Merry said.
"Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest…thing."
The two took a place in front of Abigail.
"That rules you out Pippin," she whispered. Both boys glanced back and gave her a quick smile.
(A/N: Those are the best lines in the whole movie!)
"Nine-"
"Ah-hem!" Abigail said loudly.
Elrond glared, but changed his speech. "Fine, ten companions. So be it! You shall be the fellowship of the Ring!"
After that, everyone pretty much took it as their cue to leave.
As Abigail was about to leave, or 'get away from this terrifying experience as soon as possible, she heard Pippin whisper,
"Where are we going to?"
She smiled, but then she heard,
"Lady Abigail, if you will please stay."
She stopped in her tracks and cringed. Even thought he said please, it was most definitely a command.
'Crap, so close and yet so far. Elbereth, help me!'
Bum, bum, bum! A turning point and a cliffhanger (don't you hate me?). I hope I did the scene some justice; it doesn't seem nearly as dramatic as it should be on paper. Well, I'll get this posted and see what you think.
Speaking of your thoughts, thanks to reviewers:
ArwenEvenstar83: Yeah, what I meant to say was that it's to bad the Haldir stole the spotlight, not her. Again, thanks for the good reviews.
midnight-flurry: I'm getting a lot of 'poor Glorfindel's'. True, his moment has been taken twice thanks to creative license, but he will always be in our memories.
fanforlife: I'm so happy to have a new fan. Thanks for your nice comment and I hope you keep reading!
My English teacher would be disappointed. I just spent hours writing this when I could have been doing my paper. Oh well, this was more fun. I'm going to continue editing, and don't forget I'm keeping you posted on how I'm doing on my profile.
Until we meet again!
-MysticNight9