At some point I was somewhat aware of laying on something soft. The darkness again swallowed me. I wasn't sure how much time passed but at some point I could hear Aragorn reading something to me.

I started to fight the darkness. I was getting stiff. I managed to let out a moan. Then I heard silence, then footsteps as Aragorn walked around the room. I finally managed to sit up, "Aragorn?" I asked shaking my head, then rubbing my eyes. "Aragorn?" I asked again then I realized no sound was coming out. My throat was too dry. I looked for a glass of water. There was a goblet and a pitcher on the table next to the bed. I took several drinks of water. "Aragorn?" I asked again. This time sound came out but it wasn't very loud.

"Allie!" Aragorn said coming to my side. "You're awake."

"How long have I been out?" I asked.

"Three days," he answered.

"And Frodo?"

"He's alive, he woke up yesterday. He's around here somewhere."

"Probably in the kitchen," I said. Aragorn laughed and I joined in. Then an elf maiden came in to change my bandage. She handed me a goblet of liquid and I drank it. As soon as it hit my tongue I could feel my strength return and my voice as well. As she changed the bandage I could see how badly I had been hurt. She put some kind of cream on it and rubbed it in then rewrapped it. Then she gave me something more to drink which I accepted and drank without question. As I drank it I could feel my leg heal. "Thank you miss," I said.

She bowed and walked away. I grabbed my boots that were sitting beside my bed and slipped my feet into them. As I stood up I became fully aware that I was in a dress. I headed outside to walk around. People were arriving. "Allie," a voice called. I turned to face it.

"Lord Elrond," I said bowing.

"There's no need for that Allie. I just wanted to tell you that the council meeting tomorrow, you're to attend," Elrond said.

"Yes, Lord Elrond," I said. I walked away heading towards some trees where my wolf was sitting. "Danaë!" I called walking towards her with a slight limp. She ran towards me and stood on her hind legs putting her paws on my shoulders so I could scratch her ears.

"Nice dog. I see you've trained her well," an unfamiliar voice said. I turned to see a light blue eyed, blonde middle of the back length hair, handsome elf with a white horse.

"She's not a dog and I didn't train her. I'm her leader," I said to him. Then in the language of the wolf I told Danaë to go check on Evenstar.

"What did you say to her and what do mean she's not a dog?" He asked.

"She's a wolf and I'm the alpha and I told her to check on my horse," I turned and started to limp away.

"Why are you limping?" he asked.

I could hear the concern in his voice, but I didn't trust him, "I ran afoul of the Nazgûl." I walked away into the woods. I wanted some alone time.

"Hey I didn't catch your name!" he called after me. I didn't answer and ran into the forest. I came back later that night to find Aragorn and just hang out. I needed some company, silent company and he knew when I needed silent company. He was good for that, or if you wanted to talk, or if you needed a shoulder or even a hug.

Evening had fallen when I found him. Aragorn was seated on the terrace reading a book. I came to sit beside him and I leaned into him slightly and closed my eyes. Footsteps echoed on the stone floor. The man who arrived earlier next to the elf I had spoken to entered and paused in front of a battle-piece of Isildur, with a broken sword raised against Sauron. He regarded the painting intently, then, conscious of another presence, turned and saw Aragorn and I.

The man said, "You are no Elf! But you are miss."

Aragornreplied, "The Men of the South are welcome here."

The man asked, "Who are you?"

"I am a friend to Gandalf the Grey as is my friend," Aragorn said.

The man said, "Then we are here on a common purpose . . ." he smiled ". . . friend." The Man seemed puzzled by Aragorn's and my reluctance to reveal his and my identity, but smiled again good-naturedly and turned to the Lady's shrine opposite the wall painting. He saw the broken sword lying there. He picked up the haft, shifting it in his hand, testing its weight and feel as a warrior would, and stared at the blade. The man said, "The shards of Narsil! The blade that cut the ring from Sauron's hand!" He seemed amazed. He ran his finger up the blade and cut himself. In amazement he said, "It's still sharp!" He turned to look at Aragorn and I who were watching him. In disdain he said, "But no more than a broken heirloom!"

He returned the sword carelessly and it clattered to the ground. He hesitated at the door, then continued to walk away. Aragorn got up and walked to the shrine. He picked up the dropped haft and carefully set it in place with the other shards. He took a step back and touched his right hand to his heart, as he looked at the statue of the Lady. "Thank you, for not giving him my name," I said. Aragorn turned and nodded at me and I heard footsteps as he turned away from me. Arwen walked in behind him. I took my leave and headed for my room.

Arwen asked, "Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."

"The same blood flows in my veins," replied turning to Arwen, "the same weakness."

"Your time will come. You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it. A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Aragorn. Ú or le a ú or nin." (The Shadow does not hold sway yet, Aragorn. Not over you and not over me.) In the twilit gardens of Rivendell, Arwen and Aragorn stand atop of a bridge. A love song played softly in the background: O môr henion i dhû: Ely siriar, êl síla.
Ai! Aníron Undómiel. Tiro! Êl eria e môr. I 'lîr en êl luitha 'úren. Ai! Aníron... (From darkness I understand the night: dreams flow, a star shines. Ah! I desire ! A star rises out of the darkness. The song of the star enchants my heart. Ah! I desire…)

Arwen asked, "Renech i lu i erui govannen?" (Do you remember when we first met?)

Aragorn replied, "Nauthannem i ned ol reniannen." (I thought I had strayed into a dream.)

Arwen tenderly touched Aragorn's cheek, "Gwenwin in enninath...U-arnech in naeth i si celich." (Long years have passed…You did not have the cares you carry now.) "Renech i beth i pennen?" (Do you remember what I told you?)

Aragorn ran his fingers across the pendant on her breast, "You said you'd bind yourself to me. Forsaking the immortal life of your people."

Arwen replied, "And to that I hold. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone." Arwen gave Aragorn the pendant. "I choose a mortal life."

Aragorn a little sternly said, "You cannot give me this!"

Arwen said, "It is mine to give to whom I will...like my heart." They kissed quite passionately.

The following morning, was the Council of Elrond. Gandalf and Frodo along with a congregation of Men, Elves and Dwarves sat in a semi-circle around a stone pedestal. Elrond sat at the head. "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. 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," Elrond said gesturing to the pedestal, "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." Frodo rose from his seat and laid the Ring on the pedestal.

The man I had met last night said, "So it is true…" Frodo returned to his seat beside Gandalf. He seemed relieved. The members of the Council stared at the Ring, mesmerized by it. It appeared to start whispering to each of them in turn. Each person heard it differently. I did everything in my power not to look at it.

A man unknown to me said, "The Doom of Men."

Again the man I met last night, a man from the south spoke, he rose to address the Council, "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark. But in the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: Your doom is near at hand." He approached the Ring on the plinth. "Isildur's Bane is found." The Man reached out towards the Ring. Gandalf and Elrond exchange concerned looks. The Man's fingers hover above the Ring. "Isildur's Bane."

Elrond leapt up, and loudly said, "Boromir!"

The Ring uttered a harsh chant. Gandalf suddenly stood up and also began the chant in Black Speech. Thunder crackled as the sky darkened. The Council stared around them in fear and confusion. The elf that had spoken to me yesterday closed his eyes as if he was in pain. I covered my ears and tried not to scream. Gandalf chanted, " Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." (One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.) The voice of the Ring died away. People resumed their seats, horrified, Boromir amongst them. Aragorn put his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm fine Aragorn," I said.

Elrond rebuked Gandalf strongly, "Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris!" Gandalf in a voice raspy from the force of the words and the language said, "I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether Evil!" He gave Boromir a final scathing glance and resumed his seat. Boromir was unperturbed.

Boromir continued to push, "It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" he paced, "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"

Aragorn spoke up, "You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

Boromir clearly having no boundaries said, "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"

The Elf I had talked to yesterday stood suddenly. "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir asked shocked, "Aragorn? This... is Isildur's heir?"

The Elf answered, "And heir to the throne of Gondor." Frodo looked wide-eyed at Aragorn.

Aragorn said, "Havo dad, Legolas,"(Sit down, Legolas.)

Boromir said, "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." He returned to his seat. I growled and Aragorn put his hand on my shoulder. I stopped growling and looked at him, he shook his head. I sighed and looked down. If I had it my way this man of the south, Boromir would have had his ass handed to him on a silver platter.

Gandalf said, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."

Elrond sitting up straight said, "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."

A Dwarf asked, "Then what are we waiting for?" He got up and grabbed an axe and approached the pedestal. He yelled, "ARGH!" He struck the Ring with full force but was repelled back, throwing him to the ground. Concurrently, Frodo and I saw the Eye of Sauron in our minds and winced in pain. The Ring remained intact with the shards of the axe all around it. Whispers in the black tongue issue forth from the Ring.

Elrond said, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came."

The Ring whispered, "Ash Nazg."

Elrond said, "One of you must do this." There was nothing but dead silence from the council.

Boromir was the first to speak, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great Eye is ever watchful. It is 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!"

The elf I had spoken to yesterday, Legolas stood indignantly, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has just said? The Ring must be destroyed!"

Gimli leapt to his feet, "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!"

Boromir rose, "And if we fail, what then?! What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!"

Gimli just making things worse said, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" All hell broke loose. "Never trust an Elf!"

Gandalf shouted, "Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!" Frodo, Aragorn and I remained seated, watching the Ring uneasily, the angry figures of the council reflected on its surface. Suddenly, flames flare up, engulfing the surface of the Ring.

The Ring speaking once again said, "Ash Nazg Durbatulûk! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul." The intensity of the arguments increased. Slowly, determination dawned on Frodo's face. He stood and took a few steps toward the arguing council, trying to make his voice heard above the din.

"I will take it! I will take it!" he yelled. The argument died down. Gandalf closed his eyes as he heard Frodo's statement. The members of the council slowly turned towards Frodo, astonished. "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though- I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked toward Frodo, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear," placing his hands reassuringly on Frodo's shoulders.

Aragorn rose, "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." He approached Frodo and knelt before him. "You have my sword."

"You can also count on my protection Frodo," I said standing to come and stand beside Aragorn.

Legolas came to join Aragorn and I, "And you have my bow."

Gimli added, "And my axe!" he looked grimly at Legolas and me as he joined the group.

Boromir walked over to us, "You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

"Heh!" Sam said jumping out from behind the bushes and joining us, "Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"

Elrond amused said, "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council meeting and you are not." I tried not to laugh.

Pippin and Merry emerged from behind the pillars to join us, "Wait! We are coming too!"
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Merry said.

"That can be arranged," I said. Everybody laughed, even Merry and Pippin.

Pippin continued, "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest... thing."

Merry said, "Well that rules you out Pip." Pippin shook his head and I laughed.

Elrond musing said, "Ten companions... So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"

Pippin said, "Great! Where are we going?" Everyone looked at him like, "really? Haven't you been paying attention?"